Thymoquinone derivatives for treatment of cancer

A method of treating lung cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein treating lung cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer does not include prophylactic treatment of lung cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof,
• wherein
• R1 and R2 are a C1-C6 alkyl, wherein R1 and R2 are different;
• X is NR3R4, wherein:
• R3 is selected from H or —(CH2)2—OH;
• and
• R4 is selected from H or —(C1-C4alkyl)R5, wherein:
• R5 is selected from:
• a) —OH,
• b) phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted by 1-3 substituents independently selected from —CF3, —F, —OCH3, —NH2 and —SO2NH2,
• c) a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring having 1 or 2 hetero atoms selected from 0 and N, and wherein the heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted by 1-2 substituents independently selected from —OH and CH3,
• d) a ring system having the formula of:
• and
• e) NR6R7, wherein:
• R6 is selected from H or CH3;
• and
• R7 is selected from CH3, phenyl, and a ring system having the formula of:
• wherein the ring system is optionally substituted by 1-2 substituent of CH3;
• and
• Y is H.