Synthesis of 1-benzyl-3-(5-hydroxymethyl-2-furyl)selenolo[3,2-c]pyrazole derivatives as new anticancer agents.

As part of our continuing search for potential anticancer drug candidates among YC-1 analogs, 1, 3-disubstituted selenolo[3,2-c]pyrazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against NCI-H226 non-small cell lung cancer and A-498 renal cancer cell lines. Significant cytotoxicity was observed in 3-(5-hydroxymethyl-2-furyl) derivatives (2, 33, 36 and 37). Among them, compound 2 was found to have the most potent activity. The mode of action of compound 2 seems to differ from those of the 175 anticancer agents listed in NCI's standard database and resembles that of YC-1. Thus, we recommend that compound 2 should be developed further as new drug candidate for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and renal cancer. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.