Replacement of the 3-carboxy group of quinolone topoisomerase II inhib
itors by hydroxy substituted benzyl groups resulted in potent topoisom
erase II inhibitors. The 2,6-dihydroxybenzyl analog, Win 64593, had a
topo II EC(50) of 96 nM and had potent in vitro cytotoxicity as well a
s murine antitumor activity.