Bacterial nitroreductase for the reduction of CB 1954 and analogues thereof to a cytotoxic form

摘要

A prodrug of the formula (I): <IMAGE> I where R1 is a group such that the compound R-NH2 represents actinomycin D, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, or a nitrogen mustard of the formula (IV): <IMAGE> IV a prodrug of the formula (II): <IMAGE> II where R1 is a group such that the compound R2OH is a phenolic nitrogen mustard; and processes whereby the prodrugs shown above are made in which a prodrug precursor compound is reacted with 4-nitrobenzyl chloroformate under anhydrous conditions.