γ-lactones α,β- and β,γ-fused to carbocycles as novel antiproliferative drugs

A set of gamma-lactones alpha,beta-fused and beta,gamma-fused to carbocycles have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities using the human cancer cell lines SW1573 (lung), T-47D (breast) and WiDr (colon). The compounds are obtained by intramolecular ring closing metathesis of the corresponding dienes. Active compounds exhibited GI(50) values in the range 8-18 mu M. A structure-activity relationship is also discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.