Bis-naphthylureas and related compounds: synthesis, chemical properties, DNA affinity and antineoplastic activity

A series of bis-naphthalene derivatives in which these moieties are linked by a symmetric bis-urea functionalized chain or by an asymmetric amide and urea or amino and urea functionalized chain, were synthesized. The tentative synthesis of other types of related compounds did not give the products expected. The compounds were assayed as antineoplastics on human tumor cell lines at the National Cancer Institute (USA). Bis-urea derivatives were active on lung, colon, renal and CNS tumor cell lines. The degree of affinity of these compounds to DNA was also studied, showing low affinity.