Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Acridine/Acridone Analogs as Potential Anticancer Agents

Background: The lack of efficacious therapy for advanced melanoma and neuroblastoma makes new approaches necessary. Therefore, many scientists seek. new, more effective, more selective and less toxic anticancer drugs. Objective: We propose the synthesis of the new functionalized analogs of 1-nitroacridine/4-nitroacridone connected to tuffsin/retro-tuftsin derivatives as potential anticancer agents. Methods: Acridine and acridone analogues were prepared by Ullmann condensation and then cyclization reaction, As a result of nucleophilic substitution reaction 1-nitro-9-phenoxyacridine or 1-chloro-4-nitro-9(10H)-acridone with the corresponding peptides, the planned acridine derivatives (10a-c, 12, 17-a-d, 19) have been obtained. The cytotoxic activity of the newly obtained analogs were evaluated against mclanotic (Ma) and amelanotic (Ab) melanoma cell lines and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y by using the XTT method. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cyto me try. Results: Among the investigated analogs compound 12 exhibited the highest potency comparable to dacarbazine action for amelanotic Ab melanoma cells. FLICA test (flurochrome-labeled inhibitors of caspases) showed that this analog significantly increased the content of cells with activated caspases (C+) among both.neuroblastoma lines and only Ab melanoma line. Using phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization assay, 12 induced changes in the Ab melanoma plasma membrane structure as the externalization of phosphatidylserine (And-cells). These changes in neuroblastoma cells were less pronounced. Conclusion: Analog 12 could he proposed as the new potential chemotherapeutic against amelanotic melanoma form especially.