Cyano and carboxy derivatives of substituted styrenes are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor &agr;, nuclear factor &kgr;B, and phosphodiesterase and can be used to combat cachexia, endotoxic shock, retrovirus replication, asthma, and inflammatory conditions. A typical embodiment is 3,3-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile.