Caffeine salt complexes and methods for using the same in the prevention or treatment of cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing a caffeine salt complex and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for use in methods for preventing or treating cancer or solar dermatitis. Methods for inducing apoptosis or inhibiting proliferation in a cancer cell or cell which as UVB-induced DNA damage using a caffeine salt complex or methylated xanthine are also provided.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a caffeine salt complex and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier 2.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the caffeine salt complex comprises caffeine sodium benzoate, caffeine triiodide, citrated caffeine, valeriante of caffeine, or caffeine sodium salicylate.  
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the caffeine salt complex and the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are a formulation for topical application comprising an ointment, cream, lotion, paste, gel, spray, aerosol, oil or patch.  
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , wherein said formulation is a sunscreen or cosmetic.  
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , further comprising a skin penetrant enhancer comprising water, an alcohol, an alkyl methyl sulfoxide, a pyrrolidone, laurocapram, a surfactant, urea, or N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide.  
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 3 , further comprising an analgesic agent comprising aloe vera, benzocaine, dibucaine, diphenhydramine, pramoxine, camphor, menthol, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method for preventing or treating a cancer comprising administering to a subject having or suspected of having a cancer an effective amount of a composition of  claim 1  so that the cancer is prevented or treated.  
     
     
         8 . A method for inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell comprising contacting a cancer cell with an effective amount of a caffeine salt complex or select methylated xanthine or a salt complex thereof so that apoptosis is induced in said cell.  
     
     
         9 . A method for inhibiting proliferation of a cancer cell comprising contacting a cancer cell with an effective amount of a caffeine salt complex so that proliferation of said cell is inhibited.  
     
     
         10 . A method for selectively inducing apoptosis in a cell which has UVB-induced DNA damage comprising contacting a cell having UVB-induced DNA damage with an effective amount of a caffeine salt complex or select methylated xanthine or a salt complex thereof so that apoptosis is selectively induced in said cell.  
     
     
         11 . A method for preventing or treating solar dermatitis comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a caffeine salt complex, caffeine, or methylated xanthine, or salt complex thereof so that solar dermatitis is prevented or treated.