Design, synthesis and biological testing of cyclohexenone derivatives of combretastatin-A4

Sixteen 2-cyclohexenone and 6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-cyclohexenone analogs of combretastatin-A4 (CA-4, 1) were synthesized, and their ability to inhibit the growth of two murine cancer cell lines (1316 melanoma and L1210 leukemia) was determined using an MTT assay. One of the cyclohexenone analogs, 8, which contains the same substituents as CA-4 (1) is the most potent (IC50 0-91 mu M, L1210). Exposure of A-10 aortic cells to cyclohexenone 8 and its ester congener 7 produced significant reduction in cellular microtubules, with EC50 values of 27 and 37 mu M, respectively. Molecular modeling studies indicate that analog 8 adopts a twisted conformation, similar to CA-4, suggesting that conformation and structure are crucial for activity. These compounds are worthy of further investigation as potential tubulin inhibitors in the quest for novel anti-cancer agents.