BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: The invention is drawn to a group of compounds with specific structure, which possess anti-cancer activity. It also relates to their use in human and other mammalian subjects for cancer therapy, prevention, and immune boosting and inflammation functions.

Description of the Background : JP-A 04295423 and JP-B 07072134, each to Daiichi, disclose anti-cancer agents containing MeCHR (CH2) nCOOH wherein R is C1-C5 alkyl and n=4-22. U. S. 4,985, 466 to Deguchi disclose a method for treating tumor susceptible to treatment with a wool fatty acid, or its reduced alcohol, metal salt or aliphatic ester derivative, or a wool alcohol, or its carboxylic acid, aliphatic ether or aliphatic ester derivative. Deguchi additionally disclose that it is characteristic of wool fatty acid and wool alcohol to contain a large quantity of iso-and anteiso-higher saturated aliphatic acids and alcohols.

However, none of the above prior art recognizes Applicant's discovery that the anti-cancer activity resides in a terminal branch structure and a leading end group per se directly linked at opposite ends, respectively, to a long chain group.

A group of specific iso-and anteiso-branched-chain fatty acids with significant anti-cancer effect has been described in Applicant's U. S. patent No. 6,214, 875. Such compounds as described in the above Applicant's U. S. patent, and derivatives thereof obtained by reacting the acid moiety thereof, are described in Applicant's U. S. Application 09/647,918, which is a 371 application of PCT/US99/06525, filedApril 14,1999, and which was published as WO 99/53086 on October 21,1999, which WO 99/53086 is hereby incorporated by reference.

These compounds have shown excellent cytotoxic activity through induction of apoptosis against a broad variety of cancer cells, including, but not limited to, leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, with extremely low toxicity to experimental animals.

Applicant's WO 01/59067 describes a group of anti-cancer compounds which are comprised of three parts: an end-terminal group, which is isopropyl, sec. -butyl, or tert.-butyl group; a leading group; and a long-chain aliphatic, non-cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon group that links the end-terminal group and the leading group.

This specific group of compounds, described in WO 01/59067 is illustrated by the following three formulae (1), (2) or (3): wherein n is an integer of at least 5, m is an even integer from 0 to 2b, inclusively, wherein b is the maximum number of unsaturated bonds on the long chain (a double bond is assigned as 1 and a triple bond is assigned as 2), and R can be any polar group.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, this specific group of compounds can be further illustrated by the following typical structural formulae (4) through (12), and include their possible pharmaceutically acceptable salts: wherein n is an integer between 5 to 19, m is an integer from 0 to 2b+x, inclusively, wherein b is the maximum number of unsaturated bonds (a double bond is assigned as 1 and a triple bond is assigned as 2), RI, R2, R3 are any groups that are chemically allowed in the above formulae, provided that R2R3 is a polar moiety. x represents the number of groups Ri (x is an integer 2n-m), which groups can be the same or different, and can be connected at the a-carbon or at any other possible position. In other words, hydrogen (s) may be replaced with Ri in the CnH2n-m moiety up to the total number of available hydrogens. It is understood that both hydrogens on a carbon atom may be replaced with a single divalent group, such as oxo.

However, to the extent RI, R2, and R3 include groups resulting in compounds disclosed by Daiichi or Deguchi, supra, or other prior art, these compounds are excluded herein from the compounds claimed. Thus, excluded are compounds of formulae (4) and (5) wherein m = 0, x = 0, and R2R3 is-COOH or an aliphatic ester thereof or salt thereof, or R2R3 is-OH or an aliphatic ether thereof or aliphatic ester thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It should be presumed below that any differences between a chemical structure and its chemical name be resolved in favor of the chemical structure.

In the present invention, Rl can be, but is not limited to, the following: (1) hydrogen,-H Examples: 12-Methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid, 11-Methyl-dodeca-2, 4-dienoic acid, 13-Methyl-9-tetradecene acid, 12-Ethyl-12-tridecenoic acid; (2) methyl group,-CH3 Example: 3,11-Dimethyl-dodecanoic acid; (3) ethyl group,-C2H5 Examples: 9-Ethyl-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (4) hydroxyl group,-OH Example: 9-Hydroxy-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (5) amino group,-NH2 Example: 2-Amino-ll-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (6) mercapto group,-SH Example : 9-Mercapto-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (7) oxo group, =O Example: 9-Oxo-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (8) imino group, =NH, or hydroxyimino, =N-OH Example: 9-Hydroxyimino-ll-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (9) halogen Example: 3-Chloro-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (10) amino acid Example: 9-Carboxymethylamino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (11) amino-glucose Example: 2-Glucosamino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid; (12) heterocyclic ring or substituted heterocyclic Example: 4- (8-Methyl-nonyl)-5-carboxy-tetrahydroimidazoyl-2-one, 7-(6N-Adenyl)-9-methyl-decanoic acid.

The above group or structure can be in any position of the carbon chain and the number of such group or structure is x, (x is an integer 2n-m), which can be the same or different.

R2 can be, but is not limited to, the following: (1) alkoxylene group,-CH2O Example: 11-Methyl-9-oxo-dodecyl (3,4, 5-trihydroxy) benzoate; (2) carbonyl group, Example: 13-Methyl-3-oxo-tetradecanal, Sodium 15-methyl-3-oxo-1-hydroxy-hexadecylslfonate, N-(-13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl)-2-amino-7-ribo purine, 2N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl)-guanosine, 2N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl) guanine, 6N- (11-Methyl-dodecanoyl) adenine; (3) amine group, Example: N, N-Diethyl-10-methylundecylamine, N, N-di (2-aminoethyl)-12-methyl-tridecylamine tri-hydrochloride; (4) imine group,-C=N- Example: 13-Methyl-tetradecanal-N-hydroxyimine, N-4-Carboxy-benzyl- (l 1-methyl-3-oxo-dodecyl) imine; (5) substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group Example: 2- (10-Methyl-undecyl)-adenine hydrochloride, 2- (9-Methyl-decyl)-adenine, 2- (11-Methyldodecyl)-4-amino-pyrimidine hydrochloride.

R3 is any possible group connecting with R2 so that R2R3 is a polar group. It can be, but is not limited to, the following: (1) hydrogen,-H Example: Sodium 2-(5-hydroxy-1-imidazolyl)-11-methyl-dodecanoate ; (2) hydroxyl group,-OH Example: 12-methyl-1, 10-tridecanediol, 6-[(N-11-Metyl-dodecanoyl) glycyl] thymine ; (3) amine group, Example : 13-Methyl-tetradecyl urea; (4) methyl group,-CH3, or ethyl group,-C2H5 Example: (11-Methyl-9-hydroxy-dodecyl) ethyl ether; (5) acyl group,-COR4 Example: 12-Methyl-3-oxo-tridecyl-3,4, 5-trihydroxy benzoate, 1- (2-Chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(12-methyl-tridecyl) urea; (6) sulfonyl group,-SO2 R4 Example: N-4-Methyl-benzenesulfonyl-13-Methyl-tetradecyl amine ; (7) hydroxyl-, halogen-, halide-, carboxyl-, carbonyl-, amino-, or glucosyl-substituted phenyl group or heterocyclic group.

Example : (5-Carboxy-2, 3,-dihydroxy phenyl) 13-methyl-tetradecanoate, 6N-13-methyl-tetradecyl-5-flucytosine, 6N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl) adenosine, lN- (13-methyl-tetradecanoyl)-5-fluoropyrimidine-2, 4-dione, N, N-Di (2-chloroethyl)-4- (13-methyl-tetradecyl) aniline, 2- (2, 4-Dihydroxyphenyl) -13-methyl tetradecanoic acid; (8) hydrazine group Example: N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride.

The R4 and R5 groups in the above structures can each independently be, but are not limited to, the following: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, chloroethyl, ethoxyl, hydroxyl-, halogen-, halide-, carboxyl-, carbonyl-, amino-, or glucosyl-substituted phenyl group or heterocyclic group. R4 and R5 can also form a heterocyclic ring such as piperidine, pyrrolidine or morpholine.

In the structure of the above compounds, the hydrogen (s) in any hydroxyl group (-OH) or amine group (-NH2), whether on an aliphatic chain or phenyl ring, can be replaced with a substituent to form, for example, methoxy (-OCH3), ethyloxy (-OC2H5), or acetyloxy (-OCOCH3) group.

Examples: 10-Methoxy-12-methyl-tridecanol, (12-Methyl-tridecyl) -2,4-dimethoxy benzene, 12-Methyl-3-oxo-tridecyl-3,4, 5-trimethoxy-benzoate, (5-Carboxy-2, 3-dimethoxyphenyl) 13-methyl-tetradecanoate.

The anti-cancer compounds described in the present invention can be chemically synthesized routinely.

Experiment 1 In vitro anti-cancer Efficacy The following 49 compounds with specific structure according to the present invention were synthesized: 1) 12-Methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid 2) 11-Methyl-dodeca-2,4-dienoic acid 3) 13-Methyl-9-tetradecene acid 4) 12-Ethyl-12-tridecenoic acid 5) 3, 11-Dimethyl-dodecanoic acid 6) 9-Ethyl-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 7) 9-Hydroxy-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 8) 2-Amino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 9) 9-Mercapto-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 10) 9-Oxo-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 11) 9-Hydroxyimino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 12) 3-Chloro-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 13) 9-Carboxymethylamino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 14) 2-Glucosamino-11-methyl-dodecanoic acid 15) 4- (8-Methyl-nonyl)-5-carboxy-tetrahydroimidazoyl-2-one 16) 7- (6N-Adenyl)-9-methyl-decanoic acid 17) 11-Methyl-9-oxo-dodecyl (3,4, 5-trihydroxy) benzoate 18) 13-Methyl-3-oxo-tetradecanal 19) Sodium 1-hydroxy 3-oxo-15-methyl-hexadecyl-sulfonate 20) N- (-13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl)-2-amino-7-ribo purine 21) 2N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl)-guanosine 22) 2N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl) guanine 23) 6N- (ll-Methyl-dodecanoyl) adenine 24) N, N-Diethyl-10-methylundecylamine 25) N, N-di (2-aminoethyl) -12-methyl-tridecylamine tri-hydrochloride 26) 13-Methyl-tetradecanal-N-hydroxyimine 27) N-4-Carboxy-benzyl- l-methyl-3-oxo-dodecyl) imine 28) 2- (10-Methyl-undecyl)-adenine hydrochloride 29) 2- (9-Methyl-decyl)-adenine 30) 2- (11-Methyldodecyl)-4-amino-pyrimidine hydrochloride 31) Sodium 2- (5-hydroxy-1-imidazolyl)-11-methyl-dodecanoate 32) 12-methyl-1, 10-tridecanediol 33) 6-[(N-ll-Methyl-dodecanoyl) glycyl] thymine 34) 13-Methyl-tetradecyl urea 35) (11-Methyl-9-hydroxy-dodecyl) ethyl ether 36) 12-Methyl-3-oxo-tridecyl-3,4, 5-trihydroxy benzoate 37) 1- (2-Chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3- (12-methyl- tridecyl) urea 38) N-4-Methyl-benzenesulfonyl-13-Methyl-tetradecyl amine 39) (5-Carboxy-2, 3,-dihydroxyphenyl) 13-methyl-tetradecanoate 40) 6N-13-methyl-tetradecyl-5-flucytosine 41) 6N- (13-Methyl-tetradecanoyl) adenosine 42) 1N- (13-methyl-tetradecanoyl)-5-fluoropyrimidine-2, 4-dione 43) N, N-Di (2-chloroethyl)-4- (13-methyl-tetradecyl) aniline 44) 2- (2, 4-Dihydroxyphenyl) -13-methyl tetradecanoic acid 45) N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride 46) 10-Methoxy-12-methyl-tridecanol 47) (12-Methyl-tridecyl) -2, 4-dimethoxy benzene 48) 12-Methyl-3-oxo-tridecyl-3,4, 5-trimethoxy-benzoate 49) (5-Carboxy-2, 3-dimethoxyphenyl) 13-methyl-tetradecanoate The in vitro anti-cancer efficacy tests of all the compounds above were carried out in various human cancer cell lines including leukemia K562, NPC D562, small-cell lung cancer EKVX, colon cancer HCT116, CNS cancer SF-268, melanoma SK-MEL-5, ovarian cancer IGROV1, renal cancer RFX 393, prostate cancer DU-145, breast cancer MCF7, lung cancer H1688, liver cancer SNU-423, and pancreas cancer CRL-1687. After treatment with the test compounds and solvent control, the numbers of live cells were counted by trypan blue dye exclusion, and IC9o for various cancer cell lines were calculated, ranging from 2.1 mg/ml to 49.3 mg/ml.

N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride, one of the compounds above, was used to test the possible preventing cancer effects on mice, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer. More or less prevention effects were found in the tests, with rate from 30% up to 70%. The most significant effects were observed in preventing skin cancer.

Experiment 2 N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride's function in preventing ultraviolet B ray (UVB)-induced skin cancer N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) was resolved with 0.8% Tween resulting in a final concentration of 10 %.

Forty female SKH-1 hairless mice were randomly divided into control and test groups of 20 each. Each mouse in both groups was treated topically once with DMBA (5.12 llg dissolved in 200 J. l acetone solution) to achieve tumor initiation. One week later (day 8), animals in test group started to receive topical application of 200 1 Sample solution once a day.

The control group received 200 nul Tween 80 solvent instead every day. Thirty minutes after the application, animals in both groups were exposed to UVB (290-320 nm) radiation at the dosage of 180 mJ/cm2 per day to induce growth of tumor. The animals were evaluated for tumor development at the end of 30 weeks.

The results suggest that the Sample has a preventive effect when used during early stage of tumor induction. At the end of the experiment, the animals in the Sample-treated group showed a 45% reduction in tumor incidence compared to those in the control group. The average size of cancer in the Sample-treated group was also 85% smaller.

The compounds with the specific structure disclosed in the present invention, including, but not limited to, N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride, have a cancer prevention function, including for skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and lung cancer.

Experiment 3 Influence of N-(12-methyl-tridecyl)hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) on Immune Functions 1: Phagocytic function of reticuloendothelial system 50 female ICR strain mice, weighing 19-24g, were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each. One group was given N. S. at 20 ml/kg i. g. as a normal control. A positive control group was given CTX i. g. at 25 mg/kg on day 1 and 6. A third group was given N- (12-methyl-tridecyl-hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) only at 400mg/kg i. g. The remaining two groups were given both CTX (25 mg/kg on day 1 and 6) and Sample (l00mg/kg and 400mg/kg, respectively). All treatments except CTX were administered daily for 9 days. 30 minutes after the last administration, 0. 15ml Yidege (1: 10) was injected into the tail vein of each mouse. 1 minute and 5 minutes after, blood was drawn and 20 ul serum was mixed with 0.1 % Na2CO3. OD680 was measured and the clearance index K = (lgODl-lgOD2)/(t2-tl) was calculated. The results were subject to t test and shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Effects of Sample on Serum Clearance Index of Carbon Grain in Normal and Immune-compromised Mouse P Group No. of K (i. g. ) mice (XSD) Compared Compared with Group 1 with Group2 N. S. 0. 2 ml/10g 10 0. 0763 0. 0335 < 0.001 CTX 25mg/kg 10 0. 02600. 0116 < 0. 001 Sample 400mg/kg 10 0. 07920. 0230 > 0. 05 < 0.001 Sample 100mg/kg + 10 0.0433~0.0401 < 0.001 < 0.001 CTX 25m Sample 400mg/kg + 10 0. 0603 + 0. 0371 < 0. 001 < 0. 001 CTX 25mg/kg The results in Table 1 demonstrate that N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) had no obvious effect on the Clearance Index of Carbon grain in normal mouse (PI, 3 >0.05). Moreover the Sample could even improve the clearance of Carbon grain in CTX-treated mouse to a certain extent (both P2, 4 and P2, 5 <0. 01).

2: Serum hemolysinogenesis 50 male ICR strain mice, weighing 20-23g, were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each. The method of administration in each group was the same as above (phagocytic function).

However, on the 6th day after administration, 0.2 ml 3: 5 (V/V) sheep red blood cell (RBC) suspension was injected i. p. into each mouse. 4 days later (day 10), blood was drawn from all animals and serum was prepared and then diluted 600 times. lml diluted serum was mixed with 0. 5ml 10% sheep RBC suspension. N. S. was used as blank control. All samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes, and centrifuged (2000 rev/min) for 5 minutes. The supernatant was collected for measurement of OD540 and HCso was calculated. The results were subject to t test and are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Effects of Sample on Serum Hemolysinogenesis in Normal and Immune-compromised Mouse p (i. g. ) Mice (XSD) Compared Compared with Group 1 with Group2 N. S. 0. 2 ml/lOg 10 34. 912. 32 < 0. 001 CTX 25 mg/kg 10 21. 834. 29 < 0. 001 Sample 0.4 g/kg 10 32.08~5.06 > 0.05 < 0.001 Sample 0.1 g/kg + 10 22.45 ~ 4.12 < 0.001 > 0.05 CTX 25 mg/kg Sample 0.4 g/kg + 10 24.01 ~ 3.87 < 0.001 > 0.05 CTX25mg/kg The results in Table 2 show that N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) had no obvious effects on serum hemolysinogenesis in either normal or immune-compromised mouse (Pi, 3, P2, 4, and P2, s >0. 05). This suggests that the Sample does not evidently affect host humoral immunity.

3: Weights of immune organs The mice were sacrificed after the Serum hemolysinogenesis test above and the thymus and pancreas were collected and weighed. Indices of each organ (mg/l Og body weight) were calculated and subject to t test, and shown in Table 3 as well. Table 3. Effect of the Sample on the indices of immune organs of both normal and CTX-compromised mice Indices of thymus Indices of Drug Number (mg/10g pancreas (mg/10g (i.g.) of mice avoirdupois) avoirdupois) N. S. 0. 2 ml/lOg 10 3. 8321. 904a 4. 6070. 883a CTX 25 mg/kg 10 1. 2960. 665 2. 154 + 1. 189 Sample 0. 4 g/kg 10 3. 617 1. 334a 4. 541 0. 508a Sample 0.1 g/kg 10 2.448~0.603a 2.459~0.799 + CTX 25 mg/kg Sample 0.4 g/kg 10 3.307~0.721a 3.506~1.223 + CTX 25 mg/kg 'P<0. 001, compared to the control group.

The results in Table 3 show that there was no significant effect of N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride on the indices of immune organs for normal mice (both thymus and pancreases, P1, 3 >0.05). As to the mice that were treated by CTX, these indices increased after combined administration of the Sample. The increase in the indices of thymus among these three groups is statistically significant (Pi, 2 and P2, 4 <0.001). It is suggested that N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride is different from the anticancer compounds of common clinical use, in that it does not inhibit host immune function at therapeutic dosage.

Similarly, it was shown that the specific structured compounds disclosed in the present invention have no influence on the immune function of the normal body and would not aggravate the immune suppression induced by chemotherapy drugs. Furthermore they have immune boosting effects and alleviate the immune suppression when used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.

Experiment 4 Influence of N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) on mouse sarcoma S) Rn model 50 female ICR strain mice, weighing 19-22g, were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each. S 180 sarcoma mass (about 2 mm3 each) was transplanted subcutaneously into the right armpits of all animals following standard procedure. 3 test groups were given N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride (Sample) at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg intragastrically (i. g. ) daily for 11 days. The positive control group was given a single dose of cytoxan (CTX) i. g. (25 mg/kg) on day 1. The negative control group was given 0.8% Tween 80 at 0.4 ml/lOg daily for 11 days. On the 12th day, all mice were sacrificed and the tumor was isolated and weighed. The rate of inhibition of tumor growth was calculated and subject to t-test. The results are shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Inhibition of growth of mouse sarcoma S 180 by Sample Body Weight No. of (g, XSD) Tumor Weight Inhibition Mice before after XiSD) Rate (%) treatment treatment 0. 8% Tween 80. 10 21. 81. 4 26. 61. 8 1. 100. 31- 20mg Sample 100mg/kg 10 21. 91. 4 26. 61. 8 0. 700. 12b 36.36 Sample 200mg/kg 10 21. 91. 3 25. 71. 7 0. 410. lob 62.73 Sample 400mg/kg 10 21. 81. 3 25. 01. 3 0. 330. job 70.00 CTX 25mg/kg 10 21. 81. 5 25. 61. 6 0. 310. 1 lb 71.82 (Positive Control) "P<0. 001, compared to the control group.

Similarly, it was shown that the specific structured compounds disclosed in present invention have significant anticancer activity on human or animal like N- (12-methyl-tridecyl) hydrazine hydrochloride does.

Experiment 5 Influence of 12-methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid (Sample) on inflammation 12-Methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid in an oil state was directly applied on the focus surface of oral or tongue to patients of oral adnoma and tongue cancer. It was recorded that about one week later, the focus reduced, swelling disappeared, and the patients might swallow food.

12-Methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid in an oil state was directly applied on the inflamed surface of patients with body skin ulcerous wounds. It was also recorded that compared to common anti-inflammatory cream, 12-Methyl-2-tetradecenoic acid has a better anti-inflammation function and the ulcerous wound healed quickly, indicating the anti-inflammation effects on humans.

The compounds with the specific structure in the present invention, whether chemically synthesized, or obtained through a fermentation process using a microorganism, or extracted from natural resources, or administered in a natural mixture without extraction, have significant anti-cancer activity, preventing cancer, and immune boosting and anti-inflammation effects on humans and animals. These compounds can also be taken orally or by injection, in the forms of liquid, powder, tablet, injection, capsule, or encapsulated liposome, or they can be topically applied in the forms of cream, ointment, or lotion.