Design, synthesis, and testing of an isoquinoline-3-carboxylic-based novel anti-tumor lead

Compound 6, a novel isoquinoline comprising two isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids and a benzoic acid conjugated together using tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, was synthesized and tested for anti-tumor activity. In vivo evaluations found 6 to be well tolerated, of high therapeutic efficacy and of low systemic toxicity, at effective doses. The results suggest 6 to be a promising lead for future study, and the use of multiple isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid moieties as pharmacophores in the same molecule to be a useful strategy for the design of anti-tumor drugs.