ChemInform Abstract: Exploring the Anticancer Potential of Pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazin-3-one Derivatives: The Effect on Apoptosis Induction, Cell Cycle and Proliferation

In order to investigate their anticancer potential, four new pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazinone derivatives, designed through the chemometric protocol VLAK, and three of the most active compounds of the previous series have been evaluated on some cellular events including proliferation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle. The NCI one dose (10 uM) screening revealed that the 8,9-di-methyl derivative showed activity against Leukemia (CCRF-CEM) and Colon cancer cell line (COLO 205), reaching 81% and 45% of growth inhibition (GI), respectively. Replacement of the two methyl groups with two chlorine atoms maintained the activity toward Leukemia cell (CCRF-CEM, GI 77%) and selectively enhanced the activity against COLO205 attaining a D 50 in the uM range and against SW-620 a GI o f77%. Interestingly, an appreciable growth inhibition of 47% against therapeutically"refractory" Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NCI-H522) was observed