Pyrazolo-triazoles as light activable DNA cleaving agents

In view of the continuous interest in new DNA cleaving compounds, both for the development of new therapeutic agents and for the possible use as reagents in nucleic acids research, a few pyrazolo[3,4-d][1,2,3]triazole derivatives have been obtained and investigated for their antiproliferative activity and capability to cleave DNA, after light-activation. A possible in situ activation, i.e. in neoplastic tissues, of less cytotoxic derivatives, may lead to potential antitumor compounds endowed with high therapeutic indexes.