title: Antitumor agents. 1. 1,4-Bis[(aminoalkyl)amino]-9,10-anthracenediones.
abstract: The condensation of alkylenediamines with quinizarin or with 2,3-dihydro-1,4,5,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione, followed by oxidation, gave 1,4-bis[aminoalkyl)amino]-9,10-anthracenediones. Some of these compounds and their 2,3-dihydro derivatives were markedly active against both leukemias and solid tumors in mice. Activity was maximal with 5,8-dihydroxylation and 1,4-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino] substitution, in which the terminal nitrogen atoms were either unsubstituted (compound 50) or carried 2-hydroxyethyl groups (compound 40), indicating the importance of hydrophilicity. Against B-16 melanoma, 50 gave greater than 433% increase in median life span (ILS) with 7/10 80-day survivors. Against P-388 leukemia, 40 gave greater than 500% ILS with 4/5.60-day survivors; its efficacy and therapeutic index equaled or surpassed those of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, methotrexate, or 5-fluorouracil. Against L-1210 leukemia, B-16 melanoma, and colon tumor 26, 40 was generally as effective or more effective than adriamycin and is now undergoing preclinical toxicological evaluation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents