Relationship between structure and antineoplastic activity of (arylsulfonyl)hydrazones of 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde.

The effects of various structural modifications on the antineoplastic activity of (arylsulfonyl)hydrazones of 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde were examined in mice bearing either Sarcoma 180 or P388 leukemia. The introduction of different functional groups into the phenyl ring of the benzenesulfonyl moiety did not alter tumor inhibitory activity appreciably, and the pyridine ring could be replaced by 4-nitrobenzene without loss of antineoplastic activity. However, the aldehyde proton and the hydrazone proton alpha to the sulfonyl group were essential, and their substitution resulted in inactive anticancer agents.