Small molecule bcl-x1/bcl-2 binding inhibitors

A method of treating prostate cancer in a subject previously identified as having an unwanted cell proliferation of the prostate, the process comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the following formula I, formula III, formula IV, formula V, formula VI, formula VII, formula VIII, formula X or formula XI:

• wherein R is selected from aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkylaryl, and combinations thereof;
• and wherein R may be substituted at one or more substitutable positions with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, alkyl, and combinations thereof;
• wherein X1 is H, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, nitro, haloalkylaryl, haloaryl, alkylaryl, and combinations thereof;
• and
• X2 is alkyl other than methyl, alkoxy other than methyl, halo other than bromo, and combinations thereof;
• wherein X1 is selected from H and halo;
• and
• Y is selected from alkylaryl, ankenylaryl, alkenyl, ester carboxylic acids, ester alcohols, and combinations thereof;
• wherein X1 is selected from H and halo;
• and
• Y is selected from straight-chain alkenyl, branched alkenyl, and combinations thereof;
• wherein X1 is selected from H, alkoxy, halo, and combinations thereof;
• and
• Z is selected from
• wherein X1 is selected from H and halo, and
• Z is selected from N
• wherein W is selected from O and S;
• Y is selected from straight chain alkenyl, branched alkenyl and combinations thereof;
• and
• Z′ is carboxylic acid;
• wherein Y is selected from straight chain alkenyl, branched alkenyl and combinations thereof;
• and
• Z′ is carboxylic acid;
• wherein Y is selected from straight chain alkenyl, branched alkenyl and combinations thereof;
• and
• Z′ is carboxylic acid;
• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.