A series of 2-oxindole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against different human and murine cancer cell lines and cancer chemopreventive activity. Among the tested compounds VS-06, 08, 12 and 17 displayed cytotoxic activity in the range of 5.0 to 8.5 pM against human T-lymphocyte cells (CEM). Results showed that molecules with electron withdrawing substituent at 4 position of N-phenylacetamide group exhibited an increase in activity against the human tumor cell line CEM. The cancer chemo- preventive effect of VS-01 (IC₅₀ = 451 nM) displayed equipotent activity in comparison to standard oleanolic acid (IC₅₀ = 449 nM).