Synthesis and antitumor activity of new retinobenzoic acids.

New retinobenzoic acid derivatives have been synthesized starting from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,6-hexamethylnaphthalene and 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethylindane. Four of the synthetic compounds displayed potent cytotoxic activities in vitro against human breast cancer and leukemic cell lines. Thus, these molecules can be further evaluated for the treatment of human leukemia and breast cancer.