Methods and compositions containing a phorbol ester or a derivative of a phorbol ester are provided for the treatment of chronic and acute conditions. Such conditions may be caused by disease, be symptoms or sequelae of disease. Chronic and acute conditions may be due to viral infections such as HIV and AIDS, neoplastic diseases stroke, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson's disease, prostate hypertrophy, aging, or the treatment of such diseases. Additional compositions and methods are provided which employ a phorbol ester or derivative compound in combination with at least one additional agent to yield more effective treatment tools against acute and chronic conditions in mammalian subjects.