Cyclic anti-tumor promoter compounds, compositions and methods for production and use

A composition useful as an anti-tumor promoter agent comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cyclic compound in accordance with the general formula:

• ##STR18## Wherein:
• the bond between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 can be a single or a double bond;
• X is an alkylene or alkenylene group with a C.sub.1-9 backbone;
• R.sub.1 is OR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is H, an alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 6 atoms, or CO.sub.2 R.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently H, an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group which may be attached via an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 make be taken together to form a methylidene, an alkylidene having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an arylidene group;
• and
• Y is H, OH or an O-acyl substituent group;
• with the proviso that:
• when X is ##STR19## when specified in the C.sub.4 to C.sub.n direction, then the bond between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 is a single bond, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

A method for preventing or treating tumors in a mammalian host, which comprises administering to said host a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cyclic compound in accordance with the general formula:

• ##STR20## Wherein:
• the bond between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 can be a single or a double bond;
• X is an alkylene or alkenylene group with a C.sub.1-9 backbone;
• R.sub.1 is OR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is H, an alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or CO.sub.2 R.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently H, an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group which may be attached via an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 make be taken together to form a methylidene, an alkylidene having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an arylidene group;
• and
• Y is H, OH or an O-acyl substituent group;
• with the proviso that:
• when X is ##STR21## when specified in the C.sub.4 to C.sub.n direction, then the bond between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 is a single bond, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.