This invention pertains to certain
4-(1-(sulfonyl)-1H-indol-2-yl)-4-(hydroxy)-cyclohexa-2,5-dienone
compounds, and analogs thereof, including compounds of the following
formula, which are, inter alia, antiproliferative agents, anticancer
agents, and/or thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase inhibitors: formula (I)
wherein: Ar is a 1-(sulfonyl)-1H-indol-2-yl group; the bond marked
.alpha. is independently: (a) a single bond; or: (b) a double bond; the
bond marked .beta. is independently: (a) a single bond; or: (b) a double
bond; the group --OR.sup.O is independently: (a) --OH; (b) an ether group
(e.g., --OMe); or: (c) an acyloxy (i.e., reverse ester) group (e.g.,
--OC(.dbd.O)Me); each of R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, is
independently a ring substituent and is: (a) H; (b) a monovalent
monodentate substituent; or: (c) a ring substituent which, together with
an adjacent ring substituent, and together with the ring atoms to which
these ring substituents are attached, form a fused ring; and
pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, solvates, hydrates,
and protected forms thereof. The present invention also pertains to
pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of
such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, for example,
in the treatment of proliferative conditions, (e.g., cancer), and/or
conditions mediated by thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase.