Compositions and methods of use

Abstract

This invention relates to the use of plant extracts, compositions thereof, and compounds isolated from plant extracts or obtained from synthetic means thereof, for the treatment of diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof (e.g., proliferation disorders, cancer).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administration of a composition comprising a a compound that occurs in an extract from  Lycopodium clavatum  to the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a BCP-21 extract fraction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an isolated compound from a BCP-21 extract fraction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises isolated 8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises synthetic 8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises S-enantiomer of 8-hydroxy-palmitic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the concurrent administration of an additional therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the additional therapeutic agent is an anticancer agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is a cancer mediated by caspase-3. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is hepatocellular. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is a liver cancer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is a lung cancer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lung cancer is a non-small cell lung cancer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lung cancer relates to HOP-92 cancer cells. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is a leukemia. 
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising a compound that occurs in an extract of  Lycopodium clavatum.    
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the compound is 8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to administer the compound to a subject identified as in need of a cancer therapy. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising instructions to administer an additional anticancer agent. 
     
     
         20 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising 8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         21 . A composition comprising 8-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid for use in the treatment of cancer in a subject.