Cytotoxicity and mode of action of substituted indan-1, 3-diones in murine and human tissue cultured cells.

N-Substituted indan-1.3-diones have proven to be potent cytotoxic agents effective against the growth of single cell leukemia tumors and cell lines derived from solid tumors. A number of the derivatives were active against growth of solid tumors e.g. colon, lung bronchogenic and osteosarcoma for which few effective agents are available to inhibit their growth. These agents inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis of L1210 cells. The de novo purine synthetic pathway was inhibited at PRPP amido transferase and IMP dehydrogenase. The pyrimidine synthetic pathway was inhibited at aspartate transcarbamylase. Other sites which demonstrate minor inhibition were DNA polymerase alpha, r- and t-RNA polymerase, ribonucleoside reductase, dihydrofolate reductase, nucleoside kinases and thymidylate synthetase. In addition d(NTP) pool levels were reduced by the drugs. L1210 DNA strand scission was evident after exposure to drugs for 24 hr. at 100 microM.