Synthesis and evaluation of antiproliferative activity of substituted N-(9-oxo--xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamides.

Several novel -(9-oxo--xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamides derivatives were prepared as potential antiproliferative agents. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was investigated against a panel of tumor cell lines including breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T-47D) and neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-MC) using MTT colorimetric assay. Etoposide, a well-known anticancer drug, was used as a positive standard drug. Among synthesized compounds, 4-methoxy-(9-oxo--xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide showed the highest antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and SK-N-MC cells. Furthermore, pentafluoro derivatives and exhibited higher antiproliferative activity than doxorubicin against human leukemia cell line (CCRF-CEM) and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-468) cells. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that xanthone benzenesulfonamide hybrid compounds can be used for development of new lead anticancer agents.