4-(1-(sulfonyl)-1H-indol-2-yl)-4-(hydroxy)-cyclohexa-2,5-dienone compounds and analogs thereof as therapeutic agents

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 is independently: (a) -OH; (b) an ether group (e.g., -OMe); or: (c) an acyloxy (i.e., reverse ester) group (e.g., -OC(=O)Me); each of R , R , R , and R , 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.