Development of first photoresponsive prodrug of paclitaxel

A prodrug of paclitaxel which has a coumarin derivative conjugated to the amino acid moiety of isotaxel (O-acyl isoform of paclitaxel) has been synthesized. The prodrug was selectively converted to isotaxel by visible light irradiation (430 nm) with the cleavage of coumarin. Finally, paclitaxel was released by subsequent spontaneous O-N intramolecular acyl migration. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.