The regio-selective synthesis of 10-hydroxy camptothecin norcantharidin conjugates and their biological activity evaluation in vitro

Abstract

A series of conjugates of 10-hydroxy camptothecin (HCPT) with functionalized norcantharidin derivatives were regio-selectively synthesized in the condition of (3-dimethylaminopropyl) ethyl-carbodiimide monohydrochloride in a moderate yield. The synthesized conjugate HCPT pro-drugs can also suppress cancer cell growth in vitro. These conjugated pro-drug constructs possess therapeutic potential as novel bi-functional conjugate platforms for cancer treatment.

Keywords

• 10-hydroxy camptothecin
• pro-drug
• regio-selective
• conjugate
• in vitro