Synthesis and biological properties of new alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones and alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactones.

The synthesis of a series of alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones (compounds 4a, 4b, 6-12, 16, 17) and alpha,beta-unsaturated-delta-lactones (compounds 19-23, 25, 26) starting from 4,4-dimethyldihydrofuran-2,3-dione (1) has been described. Their chemical structures were assigned by spectroscopic evidence. These new compounds exhibited significantly different antiproliferative properties against cultured human tumor cell lines with their IC(50) values ranging from 0.

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes with diethyl and monoethyl 2-quinolylmethylphosphonates.

A series of new platinum(II) complexes with diethyl (2-dqmp) and monoethyl (2-Hmqmp) 2-quinolylmethylphosphonates have been prepared and studied. Both organophosphorus ligands by reaction with [PtX(4)](2-) (X=Cl, Br) form either the molecular or ionic complexes depending on the acidity of the reaction solution. Dihalide adducts, trans-[PtL(2)X(2)] (L=2-dqmp, 2-Hmqmp), with N-bonded ligand through the quinoline nitrogen were obtained in the neutral medium, while under acidic conditions at pH<3 were isolated the ion-pair salt complexes, [LH](2)[PtX(4)], containing the protonated quinoline ligand as cation and tetrahaloplatinate complex as anion.

Tumour cell uptake of the metastasis inhibitor ruthenium complex NAMI-A and its in vitro effects on KB cells.

Purpose: The uptake of NAMI-A (imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethylsulphoxidetetrachlororuthenate) by KB cells in vitro was compared with the effects of this compound on the cell cycle phase distribution of the cells.

Methods: NAMI-A uptake was determined by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the cell cycle phase distribution was determined by flow cytometry.

Results: NAMI-A uptake was proportional to its concentration in the incubation medium.