Synthesis and antitumour activities of quinolone antineoplastic agents

DNA topoisomerases, found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, play a key role in controlling the topological state of DNA. Quinolone antibacterial agents have been shown to be inhibitors of DNA gyrase, a bacterial topoisomerase II enzyme. The eukaryotic topoisomerase II is the target of various cytotoxic agents such as adriamycin and etoposide. Recently, several quinolones having C-8 fluoro and C-8 chloro substituents have been found to have cytotoxic activities and to interact with mammalian topoisomerase II. In searching for an antitumour agent of the quinolone class, we identified several quinolones having excellent in vitro cytotoxic activity. A-74932 also possesses good activity in vivo against both systemic tumour and subcutaneously implanted murine solid tumours as well as human tumour xenografts. The chemical synthesis as well as biological properties of A-74932 are described.