Synthesis and cytotoxicity of water soluble quaternary salt derivatives of camptothecin.

In an effort to improve the water solubility of camptothecin, 16 water soluble 10-substituted quaternary ammonium salt derivatives of camptothecin were prepared. Their antitumor activity was evaluated on cancer cells in vitro. All of these salts possess lower cytotoxicities than CPT in comparison. The camptothecin salts 16, 20 showed similar cytotoxic activity to topotecan. Especially the salts 21 showed similar cytotoxic activity to CPT in vitro.