Antineoplastic activities of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-alkylaminopropiophenone derivatives in mice and in murine and human tissue culture cells.

A number of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-alkylaminopropiophenone derivatives were found to be potent antineoplastic agents in CF(I) mice by inhibiting the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma at 8 mg/kg/day and in vitro cytotoxic agents against murine and human cancer cell growth. Two analogs, beta-dimethylaminopropiophenone (1) and beta-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (3), were further tested for their in vitro effects on the metabolism of Tmolt3 cells. beta-Dimethylaminopropiophenone demonstrated potent reduction of DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, and the pool levels of the dNTPs. Enzyme activities, such as DNA polymerase a, ribonucleotide reductase, PRPP amidotransferase, and most significantly, dihydrofolate reductase, were reduced by the agents from 25 to 100 microM after 60 min.