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Abstract

A method of treating cancer, comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound or compounds which increase or supplement the intracellular levels of endogenous aldehyde, prior to, together with, or subsequent to the administration of a therapeutically-effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent such as anthracyclines and anthracenediones, wherein the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agent is enhanced relative to the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. The compound may be an aldehyde-releasing compound (preferably formaldehyde), including known aldehyde-releasing compounds and two new classes of aldehyde-releasing compounds. One new class of aldehyde-releasing compounds of formula (II) release more than one equivalent of aldehyde Z-(L-M.sup.1-CHR-M.sup.2).sub.x (II) wherein x is an integer of 2 or more Z is a direct bond or a linking group of valency x; L is either a direct bond or a spacer group R is H or C1-4 alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; M.sup.1 is a decomposable or hydrolysable group; and M.sup.2 is a second decomposable or hydrolysable group. Another new class of aldehyde-releasing compounds include a radical based on an inhibitor of an aldehyde detoxifying agent, such as buthionine sulphoximine or crotonaldehyde.

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First Claim