Synthesis and antitumor activity of fused tetracyclic quinoline derivatives. 1

Several fused tri- and tetracyclic quinolines (I and II) with [2-methoxy-4-[(methylsulfonyl)amino]phenyl]amino or [3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl]amino side chains were prepared, and their DNA intercalative properties, KB cytotoxicity, antitumor activity (P388 leukemia), and ability to induce topoisomerase II dependent DNA cleavage were investigated. Some compounds having both intercalative ability and KB cytotoxicity were found to be inactive in vivo. However, a positive correlation was seen between the ability to induce topoisomerase II dependent DNA cleavage and antitumor activity in vivo. The indeno- (13a), benzofuro- (21a), and benzothieno- (22a) quinoline derivatives exhibited potent antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo, comparable to those of m-AMSA. They also intercalate DNA and induce topoisomerase II dependent DNA cleavage. Extended screening of 13a showed it to be active against solid tumors such as M5076 sarcoma, B16 melanoma, and colon 38 carcinoma.