Synthesis of Bis(Aziridinyl) Phosphinic Amide Derivatives of Thymidine as Potential Anticancer Agents

Abstract
3′- and 5′-Bis(aziridinyl)phosphinic amide derivatives of thymidine have been synthesized as potential anticancer agents from 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine and 5′-amino-5′-deoxythymidine, respectively. The aziridine-containing compounds were tested for their cytotoxic action in vitro against the L1210 leukemia; the 3′-bis(aziridinyl)phosphinic amide derivative was found to be about 11-times more active than its 5′-counterpart in inhibiting the replication of these leukemic cells, with ED50 values of 0.6 and 7 μM, respectively, being obtained.