A New Antitumoral Agent: 9-Hydroxyellipticine. Possibility of a Rational Design of Anticancerous Drugs in the Series of DNA Intercalating Drugs

Abstract

The designing of DNA intercalating drugs with high DNA affinity in the series of ellipticine has led to a new antitumoral agent, 9-hydroxyellipticine, which has a high DNA affinity, a high activity on L 1210 mice leukemia, and a lack of toxicity at therapeutic dose. The possible correlations among chemical structure, DNA reactivity, and pharmacological activity of DNA intercalating drugs are discussed.