Heterocyclic topoisomerase poisons

Abstract

The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein R 1 to R 5 have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds, compositions, or salts to treat cancer. In embodiments, R 4 and R 5 taken together can be a 3, 4, or 5 membered saturated or unsaturated chain comprising members selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, N(X), and carbon, optionally substituted by oxo; wherein each X is independently absent or is H, O, (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; and wherein at least one of the chain members is an N—H group.

1 . A therapeutic method comprising inhibiting cancer cells by administering to a mammal in need of such therapy, an amount of a compound of formula I:  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: 
 R 1  and R 2  are each independently hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, nitro, hydroxyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, trifluoromethoxy, halo, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkythio, (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, aryl or heteroaryl; or R 1  and R 2  taken together are methylenedioxy; or R 1  and R 2  taken together with the atoms to which they are attached are benzo; wherein any aryl, heteroaryl, or benzo may optionally be substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, nitro, hydroxyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, and halo;  
 R 3  is hydrogen, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, nitro, hydroxyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, trifluoromethoxy, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 2 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy, or halo; and  
 R 4  and R 5  taken together are a 3, 4, or 5 membered saturated or unsaturated chain comprising members selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, N(X), and carbon, optionally substituted by oxo; wherein each X is independently absent or is H, O, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; and wherein at least one of said chain members is an N—H group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;  
 provided R 4  and R 5  taken together are not —N(H)—C(H)═N—;  
 effective to inhibit said cancer cells.  
 
   
   
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