title: Synthesis of betulinic acid derivatives with activity against human melanoma.
abstract: Betulinic acid has been modified at C-3, C-20, and C-28 positions and the toxicity of the derivatives has been evaluated against cultured human melanoma (MEL-2) and human epidermoid carcinoma of the mouth (KB) cell lines. This preliminary investigation demonstrates that simple modifications of the parent structure of betulinic acid can produce potentially important derivatives, which may be developed as antitumor drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (m/c 833), College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7231, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pezzuto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pisha
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes; D000094062:Betulinic Acid