The analogues could decrease the protein B-catenin, Ki-ras, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and ErbB-2 at as low as one eighth the concentration at which curcumin normally has an effect. In addition, the analogues exhibited no toxicities in vivo which may provide effective alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of some human cancers. The gene discussed is MYC; the disease is cancer.