Indolobenzazepin-7-ones and 6-, 8-, and 9-membered ring derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors: synthesis and structure--activity relationship studies.

Several small weight indole derivatives (D-64131, D-24851, BPR0L075, BLF 61-3, and ATI derivatives) are potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors and show nanomolar antiproliferative activity. Among them, indolobenzazepin-7-ones were recently disclosed as potent antimitotic agents. In an effort to improve this structure, we prepared new derivatives in order to evaluate their antiproliferative activity. 5,6,7,9-Tetrahydro-8H-indolo[2,3-e][3]benzazocin-8-one (1m) was found to be the most potent derivative inhibiting the cell growth of several cancer cell lines in the lower nanomolar range.