Elsevier

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Volume 13, Issue 4, 15 February 2005, Pages 1341-1355
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of carboxamide derivatives of benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridin-(5H)ones

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2004.11.007Get rights and content

Abstract

A previous reaction leading to 2-substituted 6-methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine-4-carboxylic acids has been extended to encompass a broad range of 2-substituents. Derived carboxamides, particularly 4-N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl], were tested for growth inhibitory properties. Potent cytotoxicity against murine P388 leukemia and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLTC) was retained for compounds bearing a remarkably diverse range of 2-substituents with a number having IC50 values <10 nM. Five of the new compounds were tested in vivo against subcutaneous colon 38 tumors in mice; a single dose (1.8 mg/kg) proved curative for the 2-(4-fluorophenyl) derivative, a further increase in potency over the very effective 2-methyl analogue reported previously.

Graphical abstract

Twenty-six new compounds were prepared and tested. Compound 2t (R = 6-Me, X = 4-FC6H4, Y = (CH2)2NMe2) at 1.8 mg kg−1 was curative against colon 38 tumors in mice.

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Introduction

The investigation of topoisomerase poisons as potential anticancer agents continues to be of interest. Tricyclic chromophores bearing a flexible cationic side chain make up one subclass, typified by the acridine-4-carboxamides (e.g., DACA, 11, 2). With respect to DACA, it has been found that the peri arrangement between the amide function and the central ring nitrogen is essential for anticancer activity.1 We recently reported that carboxamide derivatives of the benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine system were topoI/II inhibitors and potent cytotoxins, and initial in vivo testing against subcutaneous colon 38 tumors in mice showed that, for example, a single dose (3.9 mg/kg) of compound 2c was curative.3 This encouraging result prompted us to further investigate this series; in particular, the synthesis allows a wide variation in the nature of the 2-substituent. We report here the preparation of an extended series of such derivatives, along with some variations in benzo-ring substituents and carboxamide side chain, their growth inhibitory properties against tumor cell lines and in vivo activity of selected examples.

Section snippets

Chemistry

The general synthetic scheme is that reported previously.3 The homophthalic acid analogues 3ad were prepared by adapting a method for the pyridine example.4 Analogue 3e was prepared from 2-aminonicotinaldehyde and diethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate by the method reported for the dimethyl analogue.5 Reaction of 3 with Vilsmeier reagent gave the key intermediates 4 (Scheme 1).6 In our previous paper,3 compounds 4a and 4b were reacted with a limited selection of amines under generally very mild

Conclusions

The 4-N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-substituted-6-methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine-4-carboxamides are confirmed as a class of potent antitumor agents, with some showing curative in vivo activity in the sc colon 38 model in a single dosing protocol. In particular, the 2-(4-fluorophenyl) and 2-methyl derivatives provide promising candidates to further investigate efficacy and mechanism of action.

Experimental

NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance 300 spectrometer, operating at 300.13 MHz (1H) and 75.47 MHz (13C), and a Bruker DRX-400 spectrometer operating at 400.13 MHz (1H) and 100.62 MHz (13C). Chemical shifts are reported as δ values (ppm) relative to Me4Si. Standard PENDANT, HSQC, and HMBC spectra were used in making the NMR assignments. EI and LSI (3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as liquid matrix) mode high-resolution mass spectra were obtained by Dr. N. Davies, University of Tasmania, Australia.

Acknowledgements

M.L.R. is grateful for the award of an APRA.

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