Recent advances in the discovery and development of stilbenes and lactones in anticancer therapy

The stilbene and lactone moieties are important components of a number of compounds that have potential therapeutic roles in many areas including anticancer therapy. Since the significance of these moieties were recognised, a myriad of structurally-related or different analogues have been studied and tested against various pharmacological modalities that may provide novel targets in therapies, for example in conditions where insufficient apoptosis leads to the formation of cancer. Recently, there have been a number of studies directed at the search for novel anticancer compounds incorporating stilbene and/or lactone moieties. The particular aim of this review is to focus on, and summarise, selected patents from 1999 - 2003 on stilbenes and lactones with anticancer properties.