5-Alkyl-2-ferrocenyl-6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrazin-4(5H)-one derivatives inhibit growth of lung cancer A549 cell by inducing apoptosis

we found that 5-alkyl-2-ferrocenyl-6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-4(5H)-one derivatives 8d, 8e and 8f could effectively induce apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells and elevate the levels of integrin beta 4 and ROS. The data suggested that these compounds might be promising agents for the cancer therapy, and these compounds would be useful tools for further investigate the functions of integrin b4 in regulation of the cancer cell apoptosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.