Evaluation of the anticancer property of a new alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone derivative of phthalimide.

The anticancer property of a new alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone derivative of phthalimide (2, NSC 640168) was evaluated in two murine ascitic tumors namely Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and sarcoma-180 (S-180) by in vivo screenings and in a battery of human tumor cell lines by in vitro screening. It was found that the compound has exhibited marginal to moderate in vivo activity in EAC and S-180, respectively, and significant in vitro cytotoxicity in SF-268, a human CNS tumor cell line. The compound, however, has not reached the criteria of significant anti-HIV activity.