Quinolino[3,4-b]quinoxalines and pyridazino[4,3-c]quinoline derivatives: Synthesis, inhibition of topoisomerase IIα, G-quadruplex binding and cytotoxic properties

The quinoline motif fused with other heterocyclic systems plays an important role in the field of anticancer drug development. An extensive series of tetracyclic quinolino[3,4-b]quinoxalines N-5 or C-6 substituted with basic side chain and a limited number of tricyclic pyridazino[4,3-c]quinolines N-6 substituted were designed, synthesized and evaluated for topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα) inhibitory activity, ability to bind and stabilize G-quadruplex structures and cytotoxic properties against two human cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7). Almost all of the tested agents showed a high activity as Topo IIα inhibitors and G-quadruplex stabilizers. Among all the derivatives studied, the quinolino[3,4-b]quinoxalines 11 and 23, N-5 and C-6 substituted respectively, stand out as the most promising compounds. Derivative 11 resulted a selective binder to selected G-quadruplex sequences, while derivative 23 displayed the most interesting Topo IIα inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.14 μM); both showed high cytotoxic activity (IC50 HeLa = 2.04 μM and 2.32 μM, respectively).