Abstract |
The natural alkaloid camptothecin is the lead compound of a new class of antitumor agents with a unique mechanism of action (i.e. inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I). The pharmacological interest of these agents has generated a large number of derivatives and analogues endowed with potent cytotoxic activity, two of them being in clinical use as antitumor drugs. We have synthesized a new series of camptothecins substituted in position 7 with an alkyl or alkenyl chain bearing cyano and/or carbethoxy groups. These compounds showed potent cytotoxic activity in vitro against the human non-small-cell lung carcinoma H460 cell line, most of them exhibiting IC(50) values in the 0.05-1 microM range, more active than topotecan used as a reference compound. In particular 7-cyano-20S-camptothecin (5a) showed high in vitro cytotoxicity against a topotecan-resistant H460 cell subline (H460/ TPT) and a cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma subline (IGROV-1/Pt 1). In an in vivo evaluation of the antitumor activity, 5a appeared significantly more effective than topotecan in the H460 tumor model and comparable with topotecan in a small-cell lung carcinoma model and a colon carcinoma model. The efficacy and good tolerability of this compound increase interest for further preclinical development.
|
Authors | S Dallavalle, T Delsoldato, A Ferrari, L Merlini, S Penco, N Carenini, P Perego, M De Cesare, G Pratesi, F Zunino |
Journal | Journal of medicinal chemistry
(J Med Chem)
Vol. 43
Issue 21
Pg. 3963-9
(Oct 19 2000)
ISSN: 0022-2623 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11052801
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- 7-cyanocamptothecin
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Camptothecin
|
Topics |
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents
(chemical synthesis, chemistry, pharmacology)
- Camptothecin
(analogs & derivatives, chemical synthesis, chemistry, pharmacology)
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
|