Chemically stable, lipophilic prodrugs of phosphoramide mustard as potential anticancer agents

Benzyl phosphoramide mustard (3), 2,4-difluorobenzyl phosphoramide mustard (4), and methyl phosphoramide mustard (5) were examined as lipophilic, chemically stable prodrugs of phosphoramide mustard (2). These phosphorodiamidic esters are designed to undergo biotransformation by hepatic microsomal enzymes to produce 2. The rate of formation of alkylating species, viz., 2, from these prodrugs and their in vitro cytotoxicity toward mouse embryo Balb/c 3T3 cells were comparable to or better than that of cyclophosphamide (1). Preliminary antitumor screening against L1210 leukemia in mice, however, suggests that these prodrugs are devoid of any significant antitumor activity in vivo.