beta lapachone/neoplasms

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improved compositions and methods for delivering therapeutic agents bearing carbonyl or quinone functionalities and improved methods for treating cancer. One embodiment of the invention relates to improved .beta.-lapachone compositions and

BACKGROUND Mitochondria play important roles in tumor cell physiology and survival by providing energy and metabolites for growth and proliferation. As part of their oncogenic status, cancer cells frequently produce increased levels of mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). However,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION X-irradiation and chemotherapy are used to eliminate neoplastic cells. It has been found that a chemical post-treatment with .beta.-lapachone analogs after X-irradiation greatly enhanced the lethality of the radiation and/or chemotherapy and destroy more neoplastic cells.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to novel o-quinone and o-naphthoquinone derivatives which are structurally related to naturally-occurring lapachones and dunniones. The present invention is also drawn to a novel synthetic method to produce tricyclic derivatives, including lapachone

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Multiple myeloma ("MM") represents a malignant proliferation of plasma cells derived from a single clone. The terms multiple myeloma and myeloma are used interchangeably to refer to the same condition. The myeloma tumor, its products, and the host response to it result in

BACKGROUND .beta.-Lapachone (.beta.-lap) is a natural product isolated from the lapacho tree in South America. Beta lapachone is a potent cytotoxic anticancer agent with antitumor activity against a variety of human cancer cells, including drug resistant cell lines. Recent studies uncovering its

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, as well as methods of administering these pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, which comprise .beta.-lapachone (Beta-lapachone), or a derivative or analog thereof, complexed or combined

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, as well as methods of administering these pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, which comprise .beta.-lapachone (Beta-lapachone), or a derivative or analog thereof, complexed or combined

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a process for the synthesis of .beta.-lapachone (Beta-lapachone) and lapachol, the .beta.-lapachone (Beta-lapachone) intermediate, which are important agents in cancer chemotherapy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over 1.22 million new cancer

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to novel o-quinone and o-naphthoquinone derivatives which are structurally related to naturally-occurring lapachones and dunniones. The present invention is also drawn to a novel synthetic method to produce tricyclic derivatives, including lapachone

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .beta.-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione), a quinone, is derived from lapachol (a naphthoquinone) which can be isolated from the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellanedae), a member of the catalpa family (Bignoniaceae). Lapachol and

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .beta.-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione), a quinone, is derived from lapachol (a naphthoquinone) which can be isolated from the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellanedae), a member of the catalpa family (Bignoniaceae). Lapachol and

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method of treating an individual suffering from benign prostate hyperplasmia and prostate cancer. The prostate gland produces several components of semen in blood and several regulatory peptides. The prostate gland comprises stroma

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Exposure to ionizing radiation (such as X-rays, gamma rays, and alpha- or beta-radiation) can cause damage to cells. This damage can result in cell death (e.g., through apoptosis), or can cause genetic changes in the cell, resulting in unchecked cell proliferation and