Small molecules targeting androgen receptor nuclear localization and/or level in prostate cancer

A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a structure of formula II:

• wherein R1 forms a ring structure selected from an optionally substituted single ring that includes four to six C ring atoms, or an optionally substituted polycyclic ring that includes five to ten C ring atoms;
• R2 to R6 is each individually H, halogen, alkoxy, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, or a nitro-containing group;
• and
• R7 is H, halogen, alkoxy, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, or a nitro-containing group, with the proviso that the compound of formula II is not:

A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a structure of formula I:

• wherein R20 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group;
• R21 is an alkanediyl or a substituted alkanediyl;
• a is 0 or 1;
• c is 0 or 1;
• X is C or S;
• R22 is a moiety that includes at least one divalent amino radical;
• and
• R23 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group, with the proviso that the compound of formula I is not: