Synthesis, antitumor evaluation, and apoptosis-inducing activity of hydroxylated (E)-stilbenes.

The parallel solution-phase synthesis of a series of 30 monohydroxylated (E)-stilbene analogues is described. In vitro screening revealed low micromolar activity (GI(50)) against the MDA MB 468 breast cancer cell line. Activity in MDA MB 468 cells correlated with the ability to induce apoptosis following drug treatment by the most potent agents in the series, e.g., 5dy and 5jy, an observation further reinforced by AnnexinV-FITC analysis and fluorescence microscopy.