Synthesis of novel xanthone and acridone carboxamides with potent antiproliferative activities

Abstract Several new amino-substituted acridone and xanthone derivatives have been designed and synthesized, using an efficient methodology from suitable acridone- or xanthone-carboxylic acid intermediates. The antiproliferative activity of the target compounds has been evaluated against four cancer cell lines, namely breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7, acute lymphocytic leukemia CCRF-CEM, and its doxorubicin-resistant variant CEM/ADR5000 and prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines. Selected derivatives have also been tested against the urinary bladder T24 and metastatic melanoma WM266-4 cancer cell lines. Two nitro substituted acridones, bearing a basic side chain as well, were endowed with a remarkable …