Synthesis and antiproliferative action of a novel series of maprotiline analogues

•Synthesis of a diverse library of novel anti-depressant analogues.•Antiproliferative effects of maprotiline analogues in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines.•Apoptotic cell death caspase-dependant.•Antiproliferative effects in multi-drug resistant cells.

The synthesis of a diverse library of compounds structurally related to maprotiline, a norepinephrine reuptake transporter (NET) selective antidepressant which has recently been identified as a novel in vitro antiproliferative agent against Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines is reported. A series of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracenes were synthesised with modifications to the bridge of the dihydroethanoanthracene structure and with alterations to the basic side chain. A number of compounds were found to reduce cell viability to a greater extent than maprotiline in BL cell lines. In addition a related series of novel 9-substituted anthracene compounds were investigated as intermediates in the synthesis of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracenes. These compounds proved the most active from the screen and were found to exert a potent caspase-dependant apoptotic effect in the BL cell lines, while having minimal effect on the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Compounds also displayed activity in multi-drug resistant (MDR) cells.

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