Aiming at developing novel antitumor active compounds, we designed hex
ahydropyrano[3'', 4''; 3', 4']pyrido[5', 6'; 4, 5]cyclopenta[1, 2-b]qu
inoline which is a C-ring modified analogue of camptothecin. The compo
unds (9-14) were synthesized via Friedlander condensation and their in
vitro cytotoxic activities were tested.