Cytotoxic effect of novel dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives on different cancer cell lines

► Cytotoxic effect of three series of dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives was determined. ► The following cancer cell lines were used in this study: PC-3, MCF-7 and SKLU-1. ► The steroids with triazole ring produced higher cytotoxicity than those with pyrazole. ► Electronegative groups in the ester moiety increased cytotoxicity in cell lines. ► Steroids 4a, 4e, 4i-4k, 5o and 5f exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect.