PDK-1/Akt signaling inhibitors

A method of inducing apoptosis in unwanted rapidly proliferating cells, the method comprising the step of contacting a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

• wherein
• X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl;
• Ar is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl;
• R is selected from the group consisting of —CN, —CH2CN, —CH2CH2CN, —CH2CH2CH2CN —CONH2
• or metabolites or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with the rapidly proliferating cells.

A method for treating, inhibiting, or delaying the onset of cancer, wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, central nervous system cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, in a subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I:

• wherein
• X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl;
• Ar is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl;
• R is selected from the group consisting of —CN, —CH2CN, —CH2CH2CN, —CH2CH2CH2CN —CONH2
• or metabolites or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to the subject in need of such treatment.

A method for preventing restenosis in a subject that has undergone an angioplasty or stent procedure, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I:

• wherein
• X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl;
• Ar is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl;
• R is selected from the group consisting of —CN, —CH2CN, —CH2CH2CN, —CH2CH2CH2CN —CONH2
• or metabolites or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to the subject in need of such treatment.