Synthesis and antitumor activity of mechercharmycin A analogues.

Several analogues of the cytotoxic thiopeptide IB-01211 or mechercharmycin A (1) have been synthesized. The cytotoxicity of 1 and the synthesized analogues were evaluated against a panel of three human tumor cell lines. Thiopeptide 1 and the most active derivatives 2 and 3c were chosen for further studies on effects on cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, the inhibition of cell division and activation of a programmed cell death by apoptosis were detected.