Abstract:
The present invention provides compounds that can protect mammalian cells from the damaging effects of chemotherapy, irradiation, or in other situations in which it is desirable to protect tissue from the consequences of clinical or environmental stress.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/077,986, filed Mar. 11, 2005 now abandoned, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/364,663, filed Feb. 11, 2003 now abandoned, which application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) of PCT/US01/25175, filed Aug. 10, 2001, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/637,531, filed Aug. 11, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/301,340, filed Jun. 26, 2001, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     GOVERNMENT FUNDING 
     This invention was made with the assistance of the National Institutes of Health under Grant Nos. GM23200 and CA81534. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prevention of undesired cell death has become an important goal for pharmacologic intervention in a variety of clinical settings. Profound disability can result from apoptotic cell death and tissue injury due to ischemia, chemotherapeutic agents, ionizing radiation, or hyperthermia. Recently, a small molecule, 2-(2-imino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-benzothiazol-3-yl)-1-p-tolyl-ethanone hydrobromide (PFT-α; 1), 
                                
was originally identified from a broad screen of 10,000 compounds to inhibit cell death from gamma radiation, Komarov, P. G.; et al.,  Science  1999, 285, 1733-1737. In addition, Komarov&#39;s results indicated that this compound was shown to protect mice from lethal genotoxic stress. In addition, it was discovered that PFT-α was also shown to protect focal cortical ischemic injury and neuronal excitotoxic damage, Culmsee, C., et al.,  J. Neurochem.  2001, 77, 220-228, and Culmsee, C. et al.,  Brain Res Mol Brain Res.  2001, 87, 257-262. The protection provided by PFT-α was attributed to inhibition of p53 transactivation. Supporting evidence has included diminished nuclear accumulation with decreased p53 DNA binding activity, decreased caspase activity and suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the transcription of apoptosis-associated gene products p53, Bax and p21 was inhibited, Proietti De Santis, L., et al.,  DNA Repair  2003, 2, 891-900.
 
     However, the activity of PFT-α is not limited to inhibiting the transactivation of p53. This small molecule has been found to also suppress the heat shock and glucocorticoid signaling pathways Komarova, E. A., et al.,  J Biol Chem.  2003, 278, 15465-15468. Glucocorticoid-induced cell death is independent of p53 Clarke, A. R., et al.,  Nature  1993, 362, 849-852. This pathway, however, also induces the transcription and activity of the proapoptotic BH3 (Bcl-2 Homology)-only protein p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) Han, J.-W.; Flemington, C. et al.,  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.  2001, 98, 11318-11323. When this death-inducing signal reaches the mitochondria, a series of cell-death related events ensues. The inner mitochondrial membrane loses its potential and cytochrome c is released into the cytoplasm, where it can associate with ATP, apoptosis-activating factor-1, and procaspase-9. This apoptosome complex cleaves procaspase-9 to caspase-9, which in turn cleaves procaspase-3, initiating the cascade of protease activation in the execution phase of apoptosis Li, P., et al.,  Cell  1997, 91, 479-489. and Zou, H., et al.,  Cell  1997, 90, 405-413. 
     PFT-α has been reported to diminish p53-dependent and independent mitochondria mediated cell death in vitro and in vivo, Komarov, P. G.; et al.,  Science  1999, 285, 1733-1737 and Komarova, E. A., et al.,  J Biol Chem.  2003, 278, 15465-15468. The multiplicity of molecular pathways that are reportedly influenced by PFT-α suggests that the cytoprotective effect could be further optimized. Furthermore, PFT-α is not stable under physiologic conditions and spontaneously undergoes ring closure to form the imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole (IBT) 2, Singh, A.; Mohan, J., et al.,  Indian J. Chem., Sect. B  1976, 14B, 997-998. 
                                
In spite of recent reports by Zhu, X., et al.,  J Med Chem.  2002, 45, 5090-5097, and Pietrancosta, N., et al.,  Bioorg Med Chem Lett.  2005, 15, 1561-1564, describing a few of the compounds prepared here, the biologically active form of PFT-α (open versus closed ring) has not previously been formally determined. Elucidation of the active ring structure would allow investigation of further chemical modifications that may enhance the potency of the compound. In addition, alternative ring structures, such as the quaternary salts recently reported from our laboratories, may also provide greater potency Barchechath, S. D., et al.,  Bioorg Med Chem Lett.  2005, 15, 1785-1788.
 
     Thus, we report the synthesis and structure activity relationship of novel derivatives and analogs of PFT-α, and corresponding closed ring counterparts, with enhanced potency and stability. To determine activity, we used a p53-independent assay of cell death wherein mouse thymocytes were treated with dexamethasone in the presence or absence of test compounds. In addition, we confirmed the activity of the most potent compounds in a p53-dependent apoptosis assay. 
     In addition, there is a need for novel, potent, and selective agents to prevent detrimental effects upon cells due to DNA damage, such as caused by chemotherapy, radiation, ischemic event, including ischemia-reperfusion injury and organ transplantation, and the like. There is also a need for pharmacological tools for the further study of the physiological processes associated with intracellular DNA damage. 
     A continuing need exists for compounds that can protect mammalian cells from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and irradiation, or in other situations in which it is desirable to protect tissue from the consequences of clinical or environmental stress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides compounds that can protect mammalian cells from the damaging effects of chemotherapy and irradiation, or in other situations in which it is desirable to protect tissue from the consequences of clinical or environmental stress. Accordingly, there is provided compounds of formula (I) and a method of protecting the cells comprising administering to a mammal in need of said suppression an effective amount of a compound of formula (I): 
                                
wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are independently hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, cyano, N(R a )(R b ), S(R a ), NO 2 , (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 2 -C 6 )alkynyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy, or (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl or R 1  and R 2  taken together are benzo, optionally substituted by R 1 , or are (C 3 -C 5 )alkylene or methylenedioxy; wherein R a  and R b  are each independently hydrogen, (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl, (C 2 -C 4 )alkanoyl, phenyl, benzyl, or phenethyl; or R a  and R b  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached are a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring, preferably a pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino ring;
 
     Ar is aryl, heteroaryl, or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring, preferably comprising 1-3 N(R a ), non-peroxide O or S atoms, such as a pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino ring, optionally substituted with 1-5, preferably 1-2, halo, CF 3 , hydroxy, CN, N(R a )(R b ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy, (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl, or phenyl; 
     Y is oxy (—O—), S(O) 0-2 , Se, C(R 1 )(R 3 ), N(R a ), or —P—; 
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     Preferably, Ar is not substituted with halo or alkoxy. Preferably, Ar is heteroaryl or a heterocyclic ring. Preferably, R 1  and R 2  are not benzo or (C 3 -C 5 )alkylidenyl when Ar is aryl, e.g., is phenyl or napthyl. Novel compounds of formula (I) are also within the scope of the present invention, e.g., preferably Y is —O—, —Se—, C(R 1 )(R 3 ) or P. Preferably, Ar is heteroaryl. Preferably, Ar is substituted with CN, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl), (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy, (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl or combinations thereof. Preferably, R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are independently, OH, CN (N(R a )(R b ), S(R a ), NO 2 , (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl, or (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxyl. 
     In a specific embodiment the compounds of the invention have formula (IA): 
                                
wherein R 3 , hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, cyano, —N(R a )(R b ), —S(R a ), —NO 2 , (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 2 -C 6 )alkynyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy, or (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl; each R 4  is independently halo, —CF 3 , hydroxy, —CN, —N(R a )(R b ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl, formyl, (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyloxy, (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyl, (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl, or phenyl; wherein R a  and R b  are each independently hydrogen, (C 1 -C 3 )alkyl, (C 2 -C 4 )alkanoyl, phenyl, benzyl, or phenethyl; or R a  and R b  together with the nitrogen to which they are attached are a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring, preferably a pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino ring; Y is oxy (—O—), —S(O) 0-2 —, or —N(R a )—; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 
     Additionally, the invention provides a therapeutic method for preventing or reducing the damaging effects of chemotherapy and irradiation, or in other situations in which it is desirable to protect tissue from the consequences of clinical or environmental stress comprising administering to a mammal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of one or more compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Such pathological conditions or symptoms include blocking, moderating or reversing the deleterious effects of chemotherapeutic agents, particularly those which damage DNA; radiation, particularly radiation therapy (gamma-, beta- or UV-radiation), ischemic event, including stroke, infarct, ischemia-reperfusion injury and ischemia due to organ, tissue or cell transplantation; environmental pollution or contamination and the like. 
     The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising novel compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. 
     The invention provides a compound of formula (I) for use in medical therapy as well as the use of a compound of formula (I) for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a pathological condition or symptom in a mammal, such as a human, induced cellular damage, i.e., with unwanted apoptosis. 
     The invention also includes a method for binding a compound of formula (I) to cells and biomolecules comprising p53 or p53 dependent receptors, in vivo or in vitro, comprising contacting said cells or biomolecules with an amount of a compound of formula (I) effective to bind to said receptors. Cells or biomolecules comprising ligand-bound p53 or p53 dependent receptor sites can be used to measure the selectivity of test compounds for specific receptor subtypes, or can be used as a tool to identify potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases or conditions associated with p53 dependent activation, by contacting said agents with said ligand-receptor complexes, and measuring the extent of displacement of the ligand and/or binding of the agent, by methods known to the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  depict the effects of IBT and PFT-α on B-CLL viability.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are open ring compounds exhibiting some cytoxicity,  FIGS. 1C and 1D  are closed ring compounds exhibiting no toxicity. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict the protective effect of IBT against spontaneous apoptosis and against fludarabine-induced apoptosis. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict the ability of compounds of the invention to reduce the survival of malignant B cells from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia maintained in tissue culture for 72 hours. 
         FIG. 4A-4O  show the structures of compounds numbered in  FIGS. 3-4 . Compound 1 is PFT-α (control). 
         FIG. 5 . shows the mRNA expression of apoptosis related genes in mouse thymocytes. 
         FIG. 6 . shows the effect of compounds 1 and 15 on PUMA protein expression in mouse thymocytes. Thymocytes were pretreated with 10 μM of the indicated compounds and then exposed to 5 μM of dexamethasone for 6 hours. The cytosolic proteins were fractionated and then separated on a 4-12% gradient gel by SDS-PAGE and transferred to a PDVF membrane, which was probed with antibodies to PUMA and actin. 
         FIG. 7 . shows the inhibition of dexamethasone induced thymocyte cell death. Murine thymocytes were pretreated with graded quantities of the indicated compounds. Apoptosis was then induced with 5 μM dexamethasone. After 6 hours the cells were stained with DiOC 6  and PI and assayed for survival by flow cytometry. Shown are the percentages of living cells at the end of 6 hours for three independent experiments. 
         FIG. 8 . shows the inhibition of gamma radiation-induced apoptosis. Ten million thymocytes per well were pretreated with 5 μM of the indicated compounds for 30 minutes and then irradiated with 6 Gy. After 6 hours the cells were stained with DiOC 6  and PI and assayed for survival by flow cytometry. Shown are the average percent survival pooled from two experiments with the SEM. Compounds that significantly improved viability after irradiation are indicated by an asterisk (P&lt;0.01 by Students t test). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following definitions are used, unless otherwise described: halo is fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. Alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc. denote both straight and branched groups; but reference to an individual radical such as “propyl” embraces only the straight chain radical, a branched chain isomer such as “isopropyl” being specifically referred to. Aryl denotes a phenyl radical or an ortho-fused bicyclic carbocyclic radical having about nine to ten ring atoms in which at least one ring is aromatic. Heteroaryl encompasses a radical attached via a ring nitrogen or carbon of a monocyclic aromatic ring containing five or six ring atoms consisting of carbon and one to four heteroatoms each selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(X) wherein X is absent or is H, O, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, phenyl or benzyl. Heteroaryl also includes a radical of an ortho-fused bicyclic heterocycle of about eight to ten ring atoms, particularly a benzo-derivative or one derived by fusing a propylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene diradical thereto. Preferred heteroaryls include pyridin-4-yl and thiophen-2-yl. The term “heterocyclic ring” “heterocycle,” or “heterocycyl,” is defined as above for formula (I). 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that compounds of the invention having a chiral center may exist in and be isolated in optically active and racemic forms. Some compounds may also exhibit polymorphism. It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses any racemic, optically active, polymorphic, or steroisomeric form, or mixtures thereof, of a compound of the invention, which possess the useful properties described herein, it being well known in the art how to prepare optically active forms (for example, by resolution of the racemic form by recrystallization techniques, by synthesis from optically active starting materials, by chiral synthesis, or by chromatographic separation using a chiral stationary phase) and how to determine cell protection activity using the standard tests described herein, or using other similar tests which are well known in the art. 
     Specific and preferred values listed below for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the radicals and substituents. 
     Specifically, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl can be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, 3-pentyl, or hexyl; (C 3 -C 7 )cycloalkyl can be cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl; the term cycloalkyl includes (cycloalkyl)alkyl of the designated number of carbon atoms; (C 3 -C 5 )cycloalkyl(C 2 -C 4 )alkyl can be cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclobutylethyl, 2-cyclopentylethyl, or 2-cyclohexylmethyl; (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy can be methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, pentoxy, 3-pentoxy, or hexyloxy; (C 2 -C 6 )alkenyl can be vinyl, allyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, or 5-hexenyl; (C 2 -C 6 )alkynyl can be ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, or 5-hexynyl; (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl can be acetyl, propanoyl or butanoyl; halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl can be iodomethyl, bromomethyl, chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, or pentafluoroethyl; hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl can be hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 1-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 1-hydroxypentyl, 5-hydroxypentyl, 1-hydroxyhexyl, or 6-hydroxyhexyl; (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl can be methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, or hexyloxycarbonyl; (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio can be methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, isobutylthio, pentylthio, or hexylthio; (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy can be acetoxy, propanoyloxy, butanoyloxy, isobutanoyloxy, pentanoyloxy, or hexanoyloxy; aryl can be phenyl, indenyl, or naphthyl; and heteroaryl can be furyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, oxazoyl, isoxazoyl, thiazolyl, isothiazoyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl, pyridyl, (or its N-oxide), thienyl, pyrimidinyl (or its N-oxide), indolyl, isoquinolyl (or its N-oxide) or quinolyl (or its N-oxide). 
     A specific value for R 3  is H. 
     A specific value for Y is —S—, —O—, or —N(R a )—. 
     A more specific value for Y is —S—. 
     A specific value for R 4  is hydroxy, —N(R a )(R b ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, or (C 2 -C 7 )alkanoyl. 
     Another specific value for R 4  is hydroxy, —N(R a )(R b ), or (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl. 
     A more specific value for R 4  is —N(R a )(R b ), or (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl. 
     Another specific value for R 4  is methyl, ethyl or propyl. 
     A more specific value for R 4  is methyl. 
     Another specific value for R 4  is —N(R a )(R b ). 
     Another specific value for R 4 is —N(CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 . 
     A specific value for —N(R a )(R b ) is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring, optionally comprising 1, 2, or 3 N(R a ), non-peroxide O or S atoms. 
     Another specific value for —N(R a )(R b ) is pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino. 
     A more specific value for —N(R a )(R b ) is pyrrolidino. 
     A specific compound of the invention is formula (IB): 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     where for R 3  is H. 
     The compounds of the invention, can be synthesized as illustrated in Scheme 1, starting with commercially available 2-aminobenzothiazoles. Alkylation of the 2-aminobenzothiazoles with various α-haloacetophenones provides the corresponding N-alkylated compounds, with alkylation occurring exclusively at the ring nitrogen. In protic solvents the ring alkylated fused thiazoles often formed aromatic ring-closed products with concomitant dehydration, leading to the corresponding closed ring derivatives. The corresponding IBT derivatives such as, for example, 3-15 can then be prepared by ring closure in refluxing ethanol or in methoxyethanol when higher temperatures were needed. Additional methods for preparing the compounds of the invention are described in Barchechath, S. et al.,  J Med Chem.  2005, 48, 6409-6422. 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
         
         
           
             (a.) toluene, room temperature, 24-48 hours; (b.) ethanol or methoxyethanol, reflux, 1.5 hours. 
           
         
       
    
     In cases where compounds are sufficiently basic or acidic to form stable nontoxic acid or base salts, administration of the compounds as salts may be appropriate. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are organic acid addition salts formed with acids which form a physiological acceptable anion, for example, tosylate, methanesulfonate, acetate, citrate, malonate, tartarate, succinate, benzoate, ascorbate, α-ketoglutarate, and α-glycerophosphate. Suitable inorganic salts may also be formed, including hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, bicarbonate, and carbonate salts. 
     Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example, by reacting a sufficiently basic compound such as an amine with a suitable acid affording a physiologically acceptable anion. Alkali metal (for example, sodium, potassium or lithium) or alkaline earth metal (for example, calcium) salts of carboxylic acids can also be made. 
     The compounds of formula (I) can be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a mammalian host, such as a human cancer patient, in a variety of forms adapted to the chosen route of administration, i.e., orally or parenterally, by intravenous, intramuscular, topical or subcutaneous routes. 
     Thus, the present compounds may be systemically administered, e.g., orally, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle such as an inert diluent or an assimilable edible carrier. They may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsules, may be compressed into tablets, or may be incorporated directly with the food of the patient&#39;s diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the active compound may be combined with one or more excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1% of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 to about 60% of the weight of a given unit dosage form. The amount of active compound in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that an effective dosage level will be obtained. 
     The tablets, troches, pills, capsules, and the like may also contain the following: binders such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, fructose, lactose or aspartame or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring may be added. When the unit dosage form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier, such as a vegetable oil or a polyethylene glycol. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the solid unit dosage form. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with gelatin, wax, shellac or sugar and the like. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose or fructose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor. Of course, any material used in preparing any unit dosage form should be pharmaceutically acceptable and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, the active compound may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and devices. 
     The active compound may also be administered intravenously or intraperitoneally by infusion or injection. Solutions of the active compound or its salts can be prepared in water, optionally mixed with a nontoxic surfactant. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, triacetin, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. 
     The pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for injection or infusion can include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions or sterile powders comprising the active ingredient which are adapted for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable or infusible solutions or dispersions, optionally encapsulated in liposomes. In all cases, the ultimate dosage form should be sterile, fluid and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The liquid carrier or vehicle can be a solvent or liquid dispersion medium comprising, for example, water, ethanol, a polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and the like), vegetable oils, nontoxic glycerol esters, and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the formation of liposomes, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions or by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, buffers or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelation. 
     Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filter sterilization. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and the freeze drying techniques, which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient present in the previously sterile-filtered solutions. 
     For topical administration, the present compounds may be applied in pure form, i.e., when they are liquids. However, it will generally be desirable to administer them to the skin as compositions or formulations, in combination with a dermatologically acceptable carrier, which may be a solid or a liquid. 
     Useful solid carriers include finely divided solids such as talc, clay, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, alumina and the like. Useful liquid carriers include water, alcohols or glycols or water-alcohol/glycol blends, in which the present compounds can be dissolved or dispersed at effective levels, optionally with the aid of non-toxic surfactants. Adjuvants such as fragrances and additional antimicrobial agents can be added to optimize the properties for a given use. The resultant liquid compositions can be applied from absorbent pads, used to impregnate bandages and other dressings, or sprayed onto the affected area using pump-type or aerosol sprayers. 
     Thickeners such as synthetic polymers, fatty acids, fatty acid salts and esters, fatty alcohols, modified celluloses or modified mineral materials can also be employed with liquid carriers to form spreadable pastes, gels, ointments, soaps, and the like, for application directly to the skin of the user. 
     Examples of useful dermatological compositions which can be used to deliver the compounds of formula (I) to the skin are known to the art; for example, see Jacquet et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,392), Geria (U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,478), Smith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,157) and Wortzman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,508). 
     Useful dosages of the compounds of formula (I) can be determined by comparing their in vitro activity, and in vivo activity in animal models. Methods for the extrapolation of effective dosages in mice, and other animals, to humans are known to the art; for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,949. 
     Generally, the concentration of the compound(s) of formula (I) in a liquid composition, such as a lotion, will be from about 0.1-25 wt %, preferably from about 0.5-10 wt %. The concentration in a semi-solid or solid composition such as a gel or a powder will be about 0.1-5 wt %, preferably about 0.5-2.5 wt %. 
     The amount of the compound, or an active salt or derivative thereof, required for use in treatment will vary not only with the particular salt selected but also with the route of administration, the nature of the condition being treated and the age and condition of the patient and will be ultimately at the discretion of the attendant physician or clinician. 
     In general, however, a suitable dose will be in the range of from about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kg, e.g., from about 10 to about 75 mg/kg of body weight per day, such as 3 to about 50 mg per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day, preferably in the range of 6 to 90 mg/kg/day, most preferably in the range of 15 to 60 mg/kg/day. 
     The compound is conveniently administered in unit dosage form, for example, containing 5 to 1000 mg, conveniently 10 to 750 mg, most conveniently, 50 to 500 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form. 
     Ideally, the active ingredient should be administered to achieve peak plasma concentrations of the active compound of from about 0.5 to about 75 μM, preferably, about 1 to 50 μM, most preferably, about 2 to about 30 μM. This may be achieved, for example, by the intravenous injection of a 0.05 to 5% solution of the active ingredient, optionally in saline, or orally administered as a bolus containing about 1-100 mg of the active ingredient. Desirable blood levels may be maintained by continuous infusion to provide about 0.01-5.0 mg/kg/hr or by intermittent infusions containing about 0.4-15 mg/kg of the active ingredient(s). 
     The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example, as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The sub-dose itself may be further divided, e.g., into a number of discrete loosely spaced administrations, such as multiple inhalations from an insufflator or by application of a plurality of drops into the eye. 
     The ability of a compound of the invention to act as a suppressor of p53 activity may be determined using pharmacological models which are well known to the art, e.g., as disclosed below. 
     The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples. 
     Biology. To examine the relative protective effect of the compounds a reliable and relatively rapid screening assay was required. We and others have found that the structural similarity of PFT-α and IBT with luciferin rendered luciferase-based reporter gene assays for apoptosis unreliable. 19  Instead we assayed fluorescent dye retention described below in thymocytes after dexamethasone induced apoptosis. Dexamethasone (DEX) treatment of lymphocytes from the thymus initiates a signaling pathway that converges on the mitochondria-mediated molecular executioner cascade, leading to apoptosis within six hours. 20  The six hour time point was chosen, as PFT-α was reported to inhibit DEX-induced apoptosis within this incubation period, and in our hands was found to be reliable and reproducible. 5    
     All of the compounds were screened in the thymocyte assay for cytotoxicity and their ability to prevent dexamethasone-induced cell death. Murine thymocytes were exposed to 10 μM or 5 μM of each compound in the presence or absence of DEX for six hours and then assayed for their in vitro viability by 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC 6 ) and propidium iodide (PI) staining, and flow cytometry. When cell death signals converge on the mitochondria, there is a loss of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and cells can no longer retain the dye DiOC 6  as an indicator of apoptosis. Once cells lose the integrity of the outer cell membrane, then the dye propidium iodide is no longer excluded from these cells. The percentage of viable cells, which retained DiOC 6  and excluded PI was compared to cells treated with DEX alone. Compounds that significantly enhanced survival in repeated determinations (P≦0.01) were then selected for dose response study to determine the EC 50  (Tables 1, 2, and  FIG. 7 ). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 EC 50  (μM) of compounds in thymocyte apoptosis assay 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 EDEC 50   
                 95% Confidence 
               
               
                   
                 Compound # 
                 (μM) 
                 Interval (μM) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 11 
                 4.44 
                 2.86.6.89 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 10.23 
                 8.49-12.32 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 EC 50  (μM) of compounds in thymocyte apoptosis assay 
               
             
          
           
               
                 R 1   
                 Compound 
                 EDEC 50   
                 95% confidence 
               
               
                 substituent 
                 # 
                 (μM) 
                 interval (μM) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 methyl 
                 13 
                 1.22 &gt; 10 
                 0.95-1.57 
               
               
                 phenyl 
                 10 
                 8.127.26 
                 4.08-13.756.02-8.76 
               
               
                 2-naphthyl 
                 14 
                 4.02 &gt; 10 
                 3.45-4.69 
               
               
                 pyrrolidinyl 
                 15 
                 0.359.84 
                 0.11-1.082.78-34.83 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The effects of substitution at the para position of the phenyl ring of 1 and corresponding derivatives were investigated. A variety of substituents was selected on the basis of their electronic and lipophilic properties. These ability of these compounds to prevent cell death are shown in Table 3. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Survival of cells treated with IBT and analogues when challenged with 
               
               
                 DEX 
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Average 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cell 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 survival 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (%) a  Aver 
                   
                 Mann- 
               
               
                 Compound 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 age alive 
                 Standard 
                 Whitney 
               
               
                 # 
                 R 4   
                 R 5   
                 R 6   
                 R 3   
                 R 7   
                 cells (%) a   
                 deviation 
                 U test 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 3 
                 furanyl 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 16 
                 13 
                 0.0553 
               
               
                 4 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 OH 
                 19 b   
                 10 
                 0.0009 
               
               
                 5 
                 Br 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 22 
                 10 
                 0.0829 
               
               
                 6 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 Br 
                 H 
                 24 b   
                 10 
                 0.0829 
               
               
                 7 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 NH 2   
                 27 
                 22 
                 0.4114 
               
               
                 8 
                 cyclopentyl 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 36 
                 2 
                 0.9517 
               
               
                 9 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 Br 
                 39 
                 3 
                 0.8286 
               
               
                 10 
                 Ph 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 59 
                 2 
                 0.0009 
               
               
                 11 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 OMe 
                 68 b   
                 14 
                 0.0009 
               
               
                 12 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 73 
                 1 
                 0.0019 
               
               
                 13 
                 Me 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 73 b   
                 5 
                 0.0003 
               
               
                 14 
                 2-naphthyl 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 75 b   
                 2 
                 0.0009 
               
               
                 15 
                 pyrrolidinyl 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 H 
                 78 b   
                 1 
                 0.0003 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   a Control average % cell survival 72 ± 4, Dexamethasone average % cell survival 36 ± 7 
               
               
                   b Toxic at 10 μM, tested at 5 μM 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Chemistry. Melting points were obtained on a Mel-temp II capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained on a Varian Unity 500 at 499.8 MHz, or on a Varian Mercury at 400.06 MHz. The chemical shifts are expressed in δ values (parts per million) relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard. High resolution mass spectrometric analysis were performed on a Finnigan MAT900XP high resolution double focusing mass spectrometer using electron impact. Elemental analyses were performed by NuMega Resonance Labs, San Diego, Calif. Thin-layer chromatography was performed on silica gel 60 F-254 plates (EM Reagents). E Merck silica gel (230-400 mesh) was used for flash column chromatography. 
     Biological Materials. 
     Mice. C57B1/6 and p53 −/−  mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, Me.). The mice were bred and maintained under standard conditions in the University of California, San Diego Animal Facility that is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. All animal protocols receive prior approval by the institutional review board. 
     Reagents. Dexamethasone (DEX) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). Other chemicals were purchased from Maybridge plc (Trevillett, Tintagel, Cornwall, UK), and Lancaster Synthesis (Windham, N.H.). 
     Apoptosis assays. Thymocytes were harvested from young C57B1/6 mice and cultured at 37° C. in 5% CO 2  in RPMI 1640 containing 10% FBS, 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin (Gibco BRL, Rockville, Md.). Thymocytes were plated at a density of 10 7  cells/mL and pre-incubated with 5-10 μM of each compound (from 10 mM stock in DMSO) for 30 minutes before induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis was induced with 5 μM dexamethasone or by exposure to 6 Gy gamma radiation. After 6 hours, cell apoptosis was assayed by propidium iodide (PI) and 3,3′ dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC 6 ) staining. The cells were removed from the plate and incubated for 30 minutes in medium with 40 nM DiOC 6  and 5 μg/mL PI and then analyzed by flow cytometry in a FACS caliber (Beckton-Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.). Viable cells had high DiOC 6  (FL-1) and low PI (FL-3), whereas apoptotic cells had low DiOC 6  (FL-1) and low PI (FL-3). To evaluate the EC 50 s the thymocytes were pre-exposed to graded concentrations of selected compounds for 30 minutes and then apoptosis was induced with 5 μM dexamethasone. After 6 hours the cells were harvested and stained as above. 
     EC 50  Determination 
     The concentration (EC 50 ) of each compound that inhibited dexamethasone-induced cell death by 50% was determined by nonlinear regression fitting of the data to a one-site model. Pseudo Hill slopes were determined by nonlinear regression fit of the data to a sigmoidal dose-response equation (variable slope): % viability=minimum % viability+(maximum−minimum % viability)/[1+10(log EC 50 −X) n ], where X is the logarithm of inhibitor concentration, and n is the pseudo Hill slope and the maximum and minimum % viability were experimentally determined after dexamethasone exposure and drug treatment. EC 50  values and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from the sigmoid fits to the percent control transformed data shown using GraphPad Prism version 4.0b for Macintosh (GraphPad Software, San Diego, Calif.). 
     Immunoblotting 
     After removal of medium, cells were disrupted in lysis buffer (10 mM HEPES pH 7.9, 10 mM KCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1 mM EGTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and 0.6% NP-40) on ice. The nuclei were separated by centrifugation and the cytoplasmic sample removed. The nuclear pellets were resuspended in (20 mM HEPES pH 7.9, 0.4 M NaCl, 1.0 mM EDTA, 1.0 mM EGTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 0.1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) and the insoluble material was removed by centrifugation. The samples were heated to 70° C. for 10 minutes in loading buffer with 10 mM DTT. Each lane of an SDS-PAGE gel was loaded with 20 μg of protein. After electrophoresis, the proteins were transferred to a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane, blocked with 2% I-block™ (Tropix Inc, Bedford, Mass.) containing 0.05% Tween-20 in PBS, and then incubated with anti-PUMA (AbCam, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.). Horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-IgG (Santa Cruz Laboratories, Santa Cruz, Calif.) was used as the secondary antibody. The membranes were developed using a chemiluminescence system (ECL detection reagent: Amersham Life Science, Aylesbury, UK). The membranes were reprobed with anti-actin (Sigma, St Louis, Mo.) to ensure equivalent loading. 
     Synthesis 
     Method A : General procedure for synthesis of PFT-α derivatives and aromatic analogs. Following a procedure reported by Singh et al.,  Indian J. Chem., Sect. B  1976, 14B, 997-998, a mixture of 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole (1 eq.) and the appropriate phenacyl bromide (1.1 eq.) was stirred in toluene at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. The product crystallized out and was collected by filtration. The same procedure was used to synthesize aromatic analogs starting from commercially available of 2-aminobenzothiazole, some bearing a substituent on C-6. The aromatic analogs were made using the same procedures. 
     General Procedure for Synthesis of Aromatic Analogs of IBT Derivatives. 
     Method B: one-step ring closure. A mixture of 2-amino-benzothiazole (1 eq.) and the appropriate phenacyl bromide (1.1 eq.) was refluxed in ethanol for 90 minutes. The ring-closed product crystallized out upon cooling and was separated by filtration. 
     Method C: two-step ring closure. 2-imino-3-phenacyl-benzothiaole hydrobromide or analog was refluxed in ethanol for 90 minutes. The ring-closed product crystallized out upon cooling and was separated by filtration. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     1-(4-cyclopentylphenyl)-2-(2-iminobenzothiazol-3(2H)-yl)ethanone hydrobromide salt (16) 
     The title compound is prepared from α-bromo-4-(1-cyclopentyl)aceto-phenone (Hai et al.,  J. Org. Chem.,  1958, 23, 39-42; Vejdelek et al.,  Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun.  1983, 48, 642-648) and 2-aminobenzothiazole using method A in 16% yield: mp 186-190° C. (dec.);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.59 (m, 2H), 1.69, (m, 2H), 1.81 (m, 2H), 2.07 (m, 2H), 3.12 (m, 1H), 6.07 (s, 2H), 7.44 (d, 2H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.69 (t, 1H), 7.84 (t, 1H), 8.03 (d, 2H), 9.13 (s, 1H); HR-MS (FAB) m/z 337.1376 (M + ); Anal. calculated for C 20 H 21 BrN 2 OS: C, 57.56; H, 5.07; N, 6.71, found; C, 50.82; H, 4.21; N, 7.65. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     2-(2-Imino-benzothiazol-3-yl)-1-(4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-phenyl)-ethanone hydrobromide salt (17) 
     The title compound is prepared from α-bromo-4-(1-pyrrolidino)acetophenone and 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole using method A in 43% yield: mp 285-290° C. (dec);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.00 (s, 4H), 3.38 (m, 4H), 5.93 (s, 2H), 6.68 (d, 2H), 7.43 (t, 1H), 7.50 (t, 1H), 7.57 (d, 1H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 8.03 (d, 1H); Anal. C 19 H 20 BrN 3 OS (C, H, N). 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     2-Furan-2-yl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole hydrobromide salt (3) 
     The title compound is prepared from 2-Bromo-1-furan-2-yl-ethanone and 2-aminobenzothiazole using method B in 30% yield: mp&gt;250° C. (dec);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 7.48 (t, 1H), 7.60 (t, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 8.09 (d, 1H), 8.13 (d, 1H), 8.68 (s, 1H); Anal. (C 13 H 9 BrN 2 OS ⅔ H 2 O) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     2-p-Tolyl-benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-7-ol (4) 
     A mixture of 9 (362 mg, 0.845 mmol) and copper (I) oxide (46 mg, 0.321 mmol) in a 30% aq. solution of NaOH (4 mL) was heated in a bomb for 4 hours. The mixture was neutralized and extracted with EtOAc. The solid recovered upon evaporation was purified by preparative TLC to give 4 in 47% yield: mp 275-277° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.31 (s, 3H), 6.95 (dd, 1H), 7.22 (d, 2H), 7.38 (d, 1H), 7.72 (d, 2H), 7.77 (d, 1H), 8.60 (s, 1H), 9.95 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 280.0662 (M + ); Anal. calculated for C 16 H 13 BrN 2 OS ½ HBr: C, 59.90; H, 3.93; N, 8.73, found; C, 59.47; H, 4.43; N, 8.55. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     3-Bromo-2-p-tolyl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole (6) 
     To a suspension of 13 (1.643 g, 4.76 mmol) in DMF (150 mL) at room temperature, was slowly added drop wise a solution of N-bromosuccinimide (933 mg, 5.24 mmol) in DMF (6 mL). The solvent was removed under high vacuum and the residue was slurried in ice water/ethanol (100 mL, 50%). A solid dropped out and was collected by filtration and rinsed with water to give 6 in 82% yield: mp&gt;180° C. (dec);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.36 (s, 3H), 7.31 (d, 2H), 7.51 (t, 1H), 7.61 (t, 1H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 8.11 (d, 1H), 8.44 (d, 1H); Anal. (C 16 H IBrN 2 S.⅓ H 2 O C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     2-p-Tolyl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazol-7-ylamine (7) 
     To a suspension of 7-Nitro-2-p-tolyl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole hydrobromide salt (128 mg, 0.328 mmol) in water at 80° C. were added 4 portions (10 eq.) of sodium dithionite over 30 minutes whereupon the suspension become clear and decolorized to give 7 in 22% yield: mp&gt;210° C. (dec.);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.32 (s, 3H), 6.80 (dd, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 7.23 (d, 2H), 7.65 (d, 1H), 7.72 (d, 2H), 8.53 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 279.0821 (M + ); Anal. calculated for C 16 H 13 N 3 S. 7/3 HBr: C, 41.05; H, 3.30; N, 8.98; found; C, 41.81; H, 2.86; N, 6.10. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     2-(4-Cyclopentyl-phenyl)-imidzxo[2,1-b]benzothiazoles hydrobromide salt (8) 
     The title compound is prepared from 16 using method C in 65% yield: mp 0.250° C. (dec.);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.57 (m, 2H), 1.66, (m, 2H), 1.79 (m, 2H), 2.03 (m, 2H), 3.00 (q, 1H), 7.33 (d, 2H), 7.45 (t, 1H), 7.59 (t, 1H), 7.78 (d, 2H), 8.01 (d, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H), 8.77 (s, 1H); HR-MS (FAB) m/z 319.1267 (M + ); Anal. calculated for C 20 H 18 N 2 S.¼ HBr: C, 70.93; H, 5.43; N, 8.27; found; C, 70.01; H, 5.82; N, 10.97. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     7-Bromo-2-p-tolylimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole hydrobromide salt (9) 
     The title compound is prepared from 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone and 2-amino-6-bromobenzothiazole using method B in 24% yield: mp 205-208° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.31 (s, 3H), 7.23 (d, 2H), 7.73 (m, 3H), 7.91 (d, 1H), 8.32 (s, 1H), 8.70 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 341.9822 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     7-Methoxy-2-p-tolyl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole hydrobromide salt (11) 
     The title compound is prepared from 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone and 2-amino-6-bromobenzothiazole using method B in 62% yield: mp 274-276° C. (dec.);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.33 (s, 3H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 7.18 (dd, 1H), 7.26 (d, 2H), 7.72 (m, 3H), 7.92 (d, 1H), 8.71 (s, 1H); Anal. (C 17 H 15 BrN 2 OS) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     2-(4-Pyrrolidin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole hydrobromide salt (15) 
     The title compound is prepared from α-bromo-4-(1-pyrrolidino)acetophenone (Lancaster) and 2-aminobenzothiazole using method B and 10 hours of reflux in 16% yield: mp 283-287° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.98 (m, 4H), 3.31 (m, 4H), 6.68 (m, 2H), 7.51 (d, 1H), 7.66 (d, 3H), 8.11 (m, 2H), 8.71 (s, 1H); Anal. (C 19 H 18 BrN 3 S) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 11 
     3-Benzyl-3H-benzothiazol-2-ylideneamine hydrochloride salt (18) (Zhu et al.,  J. Med. Chem.  2002, 45, 5090-5097) 
     A mixture of 2-aminobenzothiazole (2.116 g, 13.7 mmol), benzyl chloride (2.1 mL, 18.2 mmol) and sodium iodide (200 mg) were refluxed for 8 hours in methoxyethanol (25 mL). Crystallization occurred upon cooling. The crystals were filtered off and thoroughly washed with ether to give yellow crystals in 39% yield: mp 275-278° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 5.65 (s, 2H), 7.28, (d, 2H), 7.36 (m, 4H), 7.50 (t, 1H), 7.55 (d, 1H) 8.02 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 240.0719 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     3-(4-Methyl-benzyl)-3H-benzothiazol-2-ylideneamine hydrochloride salt (19) 
     A mixture of 2-aminobenzothiazole (2.104 g, 13.6 mmol) and 4-methylbenzyl chloride (2.25 mL, 12.5 mmol) was refluxed for 8 hours in methoxyethanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium iodide (220 mg, 1.46 mmol). After cooling a precipitate formed which was filtered and rinsed with ether to give 35% yield: mp 243-248° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.26 (s, 3H), 5.65 (s, 2H), 7.20 (dd, 4H), 7.39 (t, 1H), 7.48 (t, 1H), 7.55 (d, 1H), 8.02 (d, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 254.0870 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 13 
     N-(3H-Benzothiazol-2-ylidene)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (20) 
     To a solution of 2-aminobenzothiazole (1.018 g, 6.78 mmol) in dry pyridine (4 mL) was added portion wise, p-toluene sulfonyl chloride (1.42 g, 7.48 mmol). The solution turned yellow upon addition. After 5 minutes of stirring at rt, the mixture was heated (70-80° C.) for 5 minutes. The mixture was poured on a bed of ice and the resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried overnight in a dessicator under vacuum to give a yellow powder in 93% yield: mp 246-249° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.36 (s, 3H), 7.26, (dt, 1H), 7.30 (d, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.40 (dt, 1H), 7.75 (d, 2H), 7.81 (d, 1H); Anal. (C 14 H 12 N 2 O 2 S 2 ) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     4-Methyl-N-[3-(2-oxo-2-p-tolyl-ethyl)-3H-benzothiazol-2-ylidene]-benzenesulfonamide (21) 
     To a solution of 20 (930 mg, 3.01 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) at room temperature was added NaH. After the effervescence subsided, 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone (775 mg, 3.36 mmol) was added. The reaction was first stirred at room temperature for an hour and then heated at 80° C. until completion (by TLC). The mixture was allowed to cool before being poured on ice (400 mL). A precipitate dropped out. It was filtered and washed with cold water and dried to give a pale yellow powder in quantitative yield: mp 180-182° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 5.86 (s, 2H), 7.33 (m, 3H), 7.42 (m, 3H), 7.57 (d, 1H), 7.64 (d, 2H), 7.91 (d, 1H), 7.97 (d, 2H); Anal. (C 23 H 20 N 2 O 3 S 2 ) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 15 
     2-(Benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-1-p-tolyl-ethanone hydrobromide salt (22) 
     A mixture of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (570 mg, 3.34 mmol) and 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone (870 mg, 3.67 mmol) was refluxed in ethanol (15 mL) for 90 minutes. The solution was cooled in the fridge to give a yellow solid in 18% yield: mp 76-78° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.42 (s, 3H), 5.15 (s, 2H), 7.36 (t, 1H), 7.41 (d, 2H), 7.44 (t, 1H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 8.00 (m, 3H); Anal. (C 16 H 14 BrNOS 2 ½ H 2 O) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 16 
     (2-Imino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-benzothiazol-3-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester hydrobromide salt (23) (Zhu et al.,  J. Med. Chem.  2002, 45, 5090-5097) 
     A mixture of 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole (2.296 g, 14.9 mmol) and ethyl bromoacetate (2.747 g, 16.4 mmol) was refluxed in ethanol (50 mL) containing 3 drops of Et 3 N for 90 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated to half volume in vacuo and the resulting precipitate was filtered and rinsed with cold ethanol, then ether to give a white powder in 79% yield: mp 222-224° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.25 (t, 3H), 1.74 (d, 4H), 2.39 (s, 2H), 2.52 (m, 2H), 4.22 (q, 2H), 4.95 (s, 2H), 9.67 (s, 2H); Anal. C 11 H 17 Br1N 2 O 2 S (C, H, N); HR-MS (EI) m/z 240.0931 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 17 
     4-Phenyl-1H-imidazole-2-thiol (24) 
     The title compound is synthesized following the procedure described by Maeda et al. ( Chem. Pharm. Bull.  1984, 32, 2536-2543). 
     EXAMPLE 18 
     3-Phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole hydrochloride salt (25) 
     A solution of 4-Phenyl-1H-imidazole-2-thiol 24 (Maeda et al.,  Chem. Pharm. Bull.  1984, 32, 2536-2543) and 2-chlorocyclohexanone was refluxed in butanol for 3 hours. After cooling, the resulting precipitate was filtered to give 25 in 75% yield: mp 274-278° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.89 (m, 4H), 2.76 (m, 4H), 7.38 (t, 1H), 7.49 (t, 2H), 7.88 (d, 2H), 8.51 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 254.0874 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 19 
     2-(2-Imnino-thiazol-3-yl)-1-p-tolyl-ethanone hydrobromide salt (26) 
     The title compound is prepared from 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone and 2-aminothiazole using method A in 64% yield: mp&gt;220° C. (dec);  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.42 (s, 3H) 5.79, (s, 2H), 7.06 (d, 1H), 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.44 (d, 2H), 7.92 (d, 2H), 9.55, (s, 2H); Anal. (C 12 H 13 BrN 2 OS ⅓ H 2 O) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 20 
     6-p-Tolyl-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole hydrobromide salt (27) 
     The title compound is prepared from 26 using a modification of method C with methoxyethanol instead of ethanol. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was recrystallized from ethanol in 49% yield: mp 260-262° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.35 (s, 3H), 7.31 (d, 2H), 7.55 (d, 1H), 7.72 (d, 2H), 8.16 (d, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H); Anal. (C 12 H 11 BrN 2 S) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 21 
     3-(2-oxo-2-p-tolylethyl)benzothiazol-2(3H)-one (28) 
     To a solution of 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (1.17 g, 7.58 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added Et 3 N (1.1 mL, 7.89 mmol). A solution of 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone (1.67 g, 7.06 mmol) in THf (10 mL) was added dropwise. Another equivalent of Et 3 N was added after 24 hours. Purification by flash chromatography on silicagel (CH 2 Cl 2 ) gave a white powder in 67% yield: mp 168-170° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.43 (s, 3H), 5.62 (s, 2H), 7.21 (t, 1H), 7.27 (d, 1H) 7.32 (t, 1H), 7.42 (d, 2H), 7.70 (d, 1H), 8.01 (d, 2H); Anal. (C 16 H 13 NO 2 S) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 22 
     3-(2-oxo-2-p-tolylethyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazol-2(3H)-one (29) 
     To a solution of 2-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole (335 mg, 2.16 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was added NaH (101 mg, 2.52 mmol). After stirring 10 minutes at room temperature, a solution of 2-bromo-4′-methylacetophenone (668 mg, 2.82 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred overnight. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc, dried over MgSO 4  and the solvent was evaporated. The oil recovered was purified by flash chromatography on silicagel (CH 2 Cl 2 ) to give 29 as a solid in 65% yield: mp 108-110° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 1.73 (s, 4H), 2.19 (s, 2H) 2.40 (m, 5H), 5.23 (s, 2H), 7.39 (d, 2H), 7.95 (d, 2H); Anal. (C 16 H 17 NO 2 S) C, H, N. 
     EXAMPLE 23 
     N-(4-Methyl-benzylidene)-N′-quinazolin-4-yl-hydrazine (30) 
     A solution of quinazolin-4-yl-hydrazine (Gewald et al.,  J. Prakt. Chem./Chem .- Ztg.  1996, 338, 206-213) (265 mg, 1.65 mmol) was refluxed with tolualdehyde (400 μl, 3.39 mmol) in methanol for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated and the resulting solid was triturated with water and filtered to give a yellow powder in 87% yield: mp 211-214° C.;  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 2.37 (s, 3H), 7.29 (d, 2H), 7.47 (dt, 2H), 7.67 (t, 1H), 7.88 (d, 3H), 8.20 (m, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 11.65 (s, 1H); HR-MS (EI) m/z 262.1223 (M + ). 
     EXAMPLE 24 
     Modulation of Proapoptotic Genes by Real Time PCR 
     Four proapoptotic genes were tested by real time PCR. Bax, PUMA (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) and noxa are transcriptional targets of p53, proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family required to initiate apoptosis, Villunger et al.,  Science  2003, 302, 1036-1038. PUMA and noxa belong to the BH3-only protein subclass while Bax is a multidomain member of the family. DR5 (also called killer) is an apoptosis-inducing membrane receptor for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (also called TRAIL and Apo2 ligand). DR5 is a transcriptional target of p53, and its over expression induces cell death in vitro (Finnberg et al.,  Molecular and Cellular Biology  2005, 25, 2000-2013). 
     Upon treatment with DEX, all four genes were induced but only PUMA showed a significant increase of over 9-fold. Compound 15 was able to keep the level of the gene close to that of the control and even below it in the case of bax and killer ( FIG. 5 ). 
     EXAMPLE 25 
     Modulation of PUMA Expression in Thymocytes Treated with DEX 
     Confirmation of the induction of PUMA following DEX treatment and ensuing reduction in the presence of PFT-α was made using western blot analysis. PUMA expression was almost nonexistent in the control sample but was induced by DEX. Addition of 1 and 15 reduced the amount of protein induction. PFT-α provided only partial inhibition of PUMA but 15 again proved to be more effective than PFT-α resulting in a total inhibition of PUMA expression in mouse thymocytes. ( FIG. 6 ). 
     EXAMPLE 26 
     Preparation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 
     The following illustrate representative pharmaceutical dosage forms, containing a compound of formula (I), for therapeutic or prophylactic use in humans. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (i) 
                 mg/tablet 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 100.0 
               
               
                   
                 Lactose 
                 77.5 
               
               
                   
                 Povidone 
                 15.0 
               
               
                   
                 Croscarmellose sodium 
                 12.0 
               
               
                   
                 Microcrystalline cellulose 
                 92.5 
               
               
                   
                 Magnesium stearate 
                 3.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 300.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (ii) 
                 mg/tablet 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
                 Microcrystalline cellulose 
                 410.0 
               
               
                   
                 Starch 
                 50.0 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium starch glycolate 
                 15.0 
               
               
                   
                 Magnesium stearate 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 500.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (iii) Capsule 
                 mg/capsule 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Colloidal silicon dioxide 
                 1.5 
               
               
                   
                 Lactose 
                 465.5 
               
               
                   
                 Pregelatinized starch 
                 120.0 
               
               
                   
                 Magnesium stearate 
                 3.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 600.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (iv) Injection 1 (1 mg/ml) 
                 mg/ml 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 1.0 
               
               
                   
                 Dibasic sodium phosphate 
                 12.0 
               
               
                   
                 Monobasic sodium phosphate 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium chloride 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                 01 N Sodium hydroxide solution 
                 q.s. 
               
               
                   
                 (pH adjustment to 7.0-7.5) 
               
               
                   
                 Water for injection 
                 q.s. ad 1 mL 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (v) Injection 2 (10 mg/ml) 
                 mg/ml 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Monobasic sodium phosphate 
                 0.3 
               
               
                   
                 Dibasic sodium phosphate 
                 1.1 
               
               
                   
                 Polyethylene glycol 400 
                 200.0 
               
               
                   
                 01 N Sodium hydroxide solution 
                 q.s. 
               
               
                   
                 (pH adjustment to 7.0-7.5) 
               
               
                   
                 Water for injection 
                 q.s. ad 1 mL 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (vi) Aerosol 
                 mg/can 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Compound of Formula (I)-(V) 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
                 Oleic acid 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Trichloromonofluoromethane 
                 5,000.0 
               
               
                   
                 Dichlorodifluoromethane 
                 10,000.0 
               
               
                   
                 Dichlorotetrafluoroethane 
                 5,000.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The above formulations may be obtained by conventional procedures well known in the pharmaceutical art. 
     All publications, patents, and patent documents are incorporated by reference herein, as though individually incorporated by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.