ANTI CANCER USE OF CAFFEIC ACID AND DERIVATIVES

The present invention relates to the use of caffeic acid or a derivative thereof represented by the following general formula (1) wherein X is O, NH, or heterocyclyl; R may be present or absent and if present, is H, alkyl, ar yl, or heterocyclyl; in all its stereoisomeric and tautomeric forms, and mix tures thereof in all ratios, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmac eutically acceptable solvate, pharmaceutically acceptable polymorph, in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) which is resistant to treatment with Gleevec. The invention also relates to the reduction of the proliferati on of cells that are resistant to Gleevec by contacting the cells with a com pound of general formula (1 ). The present invention also relates to pharmac eutical compositions (for the manufacture of the medicament) including caffe ic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof represented by the general formula (1 ) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that is resistant to treatment with Gleevec, or for reducing the proliferation of cells that a re resistant to Gleevec. The present invention further relates to the treatm ent of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that is resistant to treatment with Gl eevec.