The invention provides small molecule mimics of the Smac peptide that are dimer- or dimer-like compounds having two amide-containing domains connected by a linker. These compounds are useful to promote apoptosis. The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods to use them to treat conditions including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Caspase activity and apoptosis are promoted using active, dimeric Smac peptide mimetics of the general formula M1-L-M2, wherein moieties M1 and M2 are monomeric Smac mimetics and L is a covalent linker. Target cancerous or inflammatory cells are contacted with an effective amount of an active, dimeric Smac mimetic, and a resultant increase in apoptosis of the target cells is detected. The contacting step may be effected by administering to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the dimeric mimetic, wherein the individual may be subject to concurrent or antecedent radiation or chemotherapy for treatment of a neoproliferative pathology.
The invention provides small molecule mimics of the Smac peptide that are dimer- or dimer-like compounds having two amide-containing domains connected by a linker. These compounds are useful to promote apoptosis. The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods to use them to treat conditions including cancer and autoimmune disorders.