β-Lapachone analogs with enhanced antiproliferative activity

Abstract

In this study, we describe the synthesis of a series of α- and β-lapachone containing hydroxyl or methoxyl groups on the benzene ring, by means of the selective acid promoted cyclization of the appropriate lapachol analog. The evaluation of the antiproliferative activity in human solid tumor cell lines provided 7-hydroxy-β-lapachone as lead with enhanced activity over the parent drug β-lapachone. Cell cycle studies, protein expression experiments, and reactive oxygen species analysis revealed that, similarly to β-lapachone, ROS formation and DNA damage are critical factors in the cellular toxicity of 7-hydroxy-β-lapachone.Co-financed by the European Social Fund (FEDER), the Spanish Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI11/00840), the Spanish MSC (RTICC RD06/0020/1046 and RD06/0020/0041), the Canary Islands ACIISI (PI 2007/021), the Canary Islands FUNCIS (PI 43/ 09), and by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET PIP 0447), and Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBACyT 20020090200697). E.L.B. thanks CONICET for a fellowship. L.G.L. thanks ACIISI for a postdoctoral contract (SE- 10/19).Peer Reviewe