Nitrobenzindoles and their use in cancer therapy

摘要

Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) wherein: X, Y and W are independently selected from H, halogen, alkyl OR1, OP(O)(OH)2, SR1, NR12, COR1, SOR1, SO2R1, SO2NR12, SO2NR1OR1, SO2NR1NR12, SO2NHCOR1, CO2R1, CONR12, CONHSO2R1, CF3, CH, NO2 where X and Y are located at any one of the available position 6-9, and where R1 independently represents H or and optionally substituted alkyl; Z may be selected from the structures (Ia-Ic) wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification. Compounds of the type disclosed are useful as hypoxia-selective drugs, radiosensitizers for cancer therapy, in gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) and in antibody-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (ADEPT).