Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro antiproliferative activity of new ethyl 3-(arylethynyl)quinoxaline-2-carboxylate and pyrido[4,3-b]quinoxalin-1(2H)-one derivatives.

We report a novel series of quinoxaline derivatives from which agents with antiproliferative activity have been identified. Two ethyl 3-(arylethynyl)quinoxaline-2-carboxylates demonstrated substantial antiproliferative activity against both human non-small cell lung carcinoma (A549) and glioblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines. Pyrido[4,3-b]quinoxalin-1(2H)-ones demonstrated poor activity against A549 and U87-MG cell lines.