Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel 7-substituted 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acids as antitumor agents. Part 2.

We have previously reported that a series of 7-substituted 6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acids possess moderate cytotoxic activity. In a further attempt to find clinically useful antitumor agents, we investigated the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of a new series of compounds obtained by changing the C-6 position of the fluorine atom in addition to the C-5 and C-7 positions and evaluating their cytotoxic activity against several murine and human tumor cell lines. Our results showed that the 6-unsubstituted 1,8-naphthyridine structure had the most potent cytotoxic activity against murine P388 leukemia twice that of the 6-fluoro analogue. In addition, introduction of an amino group at the C-5 position did not have any substantial effect on the cytotoxic activity, while both the 5-chloro and 5-trifluoromethyl groups decreased the cytotoxic activity by 5- to 10-fold. Moreover, aminopyrrolidine derivatives at the C-7 position showed more potent cytotoxic activity than other amines or carbon derivatives. Among the 7-(3-aminopyrrolidinyl) derivatives, the trans-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidinyl derivative (27l) was determined to have potent cytotoxic activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays and high water solubility. Finally, the (S,S)-isomer (AG-7352, 3) of 27l, with a cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines more potent than that of etoposide, was selected for further development.