Design and synthesis of new 7-(N-substituted-methyl)-camptothecin derivatives as potent cytotoxic agents

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2014 Aug 15;24(16):3850-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.06.060. Epub 2014 Jun 27.

Abstract

A series of novel 7-(N-substituted-methyl)-camptothecin derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines, A-549, MDA-MB-231, KB, and KBvin. All of the derivatives showed promising in vitro cytotoxic activity against the tested tumor cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.0023 to 1.11 μM, and were as or more potent than topotecan. Compounds 9d, 9e, and 9r exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity among all prepared derivatives. Furthermore, all of the compounds were more potent than paclitaxel against the multidrug-resistant (MDR) KBvin subline. With a concise efficient synthesis and potent cytotoxic profiles, especially significant activity towards KBvin, compounds 9d, 9e, and 9r merit further development as a new generation of camptothecin-derived anticancer clinical trial candidates.

Keywords: Antiproliferative activity; Camptothecin; Multidrug resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Camptothecin / chemical synthesis
  • Camptothecin / chemistry
  • Camptothecin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • KB Cells
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Camptothecin