In silico/in vitro study of hybrid D-modified steroidal alkylator anticancer activity using uridine phosphorylase as target protein.

Background: In order to reduce toxicity and to enhance anticancer activity of nitrogen mustards, three hybrid steroidal esters were synthesized and tested in vitro against human pancreatic cancer cells expressing uridine phosphorylase (UPase). The inhibition potency against a target protein implicated in the chemotherapy of solid tumors, such as UPase, is of fundamental importance in the design and synthesis of new anticancer drugs.

Materials And Methods: MTT colorimetric assay and molecular docking were employed for the in vitro and in silico drug evaluation, respectively.