Synthesis and antitumor activity of 10-arylcamptothecin derivatives

A series of 10-arylcamptothecin derivatives was designed and synthesized. The key step of the synthesis was achieved by employing Suzuki cross-coupling chemistry. All of the new derivatives were tested for cytotoxicity against three human tumor cell lines, BEL-7402, A549, and HL-60; most of the derivatives exhibited potent cytotoxicity. The stability study showed that compound 30 was more stable than its lead compound 10-hydroxycamptothecin under the physiological condition. Mechanistic study demonstrated that compound 30 and its hydrochloride 31 had a pharmacological profile similar with camptothecin.