Synthesis of N(4)-(substituted phenyl)-N(4)-alkyl/desalkyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2,4-diamines and identification of new microtubule disrupting compounds that are effective against multidrug resistant cells.

A series of fourteen N(4)-(substituted phenyl)-N(4)-alkyl/desalkyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2,4-diamines was synthesized as potential microtubule targeting agents. The synthesis involved a Fisher indole cyclization of 2-amino-6-hydrazinylpyrimidin-4(3H)-one with cyclohexanone, followed by oxidation, chlorination and displacement with appropriate anilines. Compounds 6, 14 and 15 had low nanomolar potency against MDA-MB-435 tumor cells and depolymerized microtubules.

Novel water-soluble substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation as antitubulin antitumor agents.

Purpose: To study the effects of a regioisomeric change on the biological activities of previously reported water soluble, colchicine site binding, microtubule depolymerizing agents.

Methods: Nine pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines were designed and synthesized. The importance of various substituents was evaluated.

Synthesis and biological activities of (R)- and (S)-N-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-N,2,6-trimethyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidin-4-aminium chloride as potent cytotoxic antitubulin agents.

(R,S)-1 is a potent antimitotic compound. (R)-1·HCl and (S)-1·HCl were synthesized from (R)- and (S)-3-methyladipic acid. Both enantiomers were potent inhibitors of cell proliferation and caused cellular microtubule loss and mitotic arrest.

Design, synthesis, and cytotoxicity of novel 3-arylidenones derived from alicyclic ketones.

Forty-four novel chalcone-inspired analogs having a 3-aryl-2-propenoyl moiety derived from alicyclic ketones were designed, synthesized, and investigated for cytotoxicity against murine B16 and L1210 cancer cell lines. The analogs belong to four structurally divergent series, three of which (series g, h, and i) contain differently substituted cyclopentanone units and the fourth (series j) contains a 3,3-dimethyl-4-piperidinone moiety. Of these, the analogs in series j showed potential cytotoxic activity against murine B16 (melanoma) and L1210 (lymphoma) cells.

A novel class of trans-methylpyrazoline analogs of combretastatins: synthesis and in-vitro biological testing.

Thirteen methylpyrazoline analogs (1a-m) of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4, 2) were synthesized. The trans-geometry of the two substituted phenyl moieties was ascertained by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study of compound 1d. The cytotoxicities of the analogs against the growth of murine B16 melanoma and L1210 lymphoma cells in culture were measured using the MTT assay.

Acetyl analogs of combretastatin A-4: synthesis and biological studies.

The combretastatins have received significant attention because of their simple chemical structures, excellent antitumor efficacy and novel antivascular mechanisms of action. Herein, we report the synthesis of 20 novel acetyl analogs of CA-4 (1), synthesized from 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetone that comprises the A ring of CA-4 with different aromatic aldehydes as the B ring. Molecular modeling studies indicate that these new compounds possess a 'twisted' conformation similar to CA-4.

Design and synthesis of novel enhanced water soluble hydroxyethyl analogs of combretastatin A-4.

Thirteen hydroxyethyl- analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) that contain the 1-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-1-(3",4",5"-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-(substituted phenyl)ethene framework were synthesized. Molecular modeling studies at the DFT level showed that compound 3j adopts a 'twisted' conformation mimicking CA-4. The cytotoxicity of the novel compounds against the growth of murine B16 melanoma and L1210 lymphoma cells in culture was measured using an MTT assay.