The present invention relates to pyrazoloanthrones or functional derivatives or functional analogues thereof to activate MIS receptor-mediated downstream effects in a cell. In particular, the present invention relates to method to prevent and treat cancer that expresses MIS receptor type II (MISRII) by administering to a subject at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or a functional analogue thereof. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to lower plasma androgen levels in a subject, and/or for the treatment of a subject with a disease characterized by excess androgen, whereby the subject is administered at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or a functional analogue thereof. Another aspect provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one pyrazoloanthrone or functional a derivative or a functional analogue thereof, and optionally with one or more additional agents such as chemotherapeutic agents. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to decrease the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent by administering the chemotherapeutic agent with a pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or a functional analogue thereof that lowers the effective dose of the chemotherapeutic agent, such as for example, paclitaxel.
