Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies of quinolone derivatives as potential antitumor topoisomerase I inhibitors.

A novel series of quinolone derivatives (6a-n) were designed and synthesized, and their biological activities were evaluated as potential antitumor topoisomerase I (Top I) inhibitors. Among these compounds, 6j exhibited the most potent antitumor activities against multiple cancer cell lines. Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 6j into the crystal structure of DNA-Top I to determine the probable binding model.