Novel halogenated sulfonamides inhibit the growth of multidrug resistant MCF-7/ADR cancer cells

In this report, we describe the synthesis of halogenated benzenesulfonamide compounds and their ability to inhibit the growth of HeLa, MCF-7 and MCF-7 /ADR tumor cells in vitro. The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype of cert ain cells does not affect their sensitivity to these compounds. These agent s belong to a family of compounds previously shown to bind irreversibly to cysteine-239 of beta-tubulin. Consistent with this mechanism of action, the cytotoxicities of these compounds appear to correlate with their ability t o undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.