The 3'-N-acyl-N-debenzoylpaclitaxel analogues 1a-d were synthesized and eva
luated on biological systems. Some of the analogues 1a-d exhibited higher c
ytotoxicities (up to 20-fold) and stronger abilities to induce apoptosis th
an paclitaxel. In an in vivo experiment against ip implanted B16 melanoma,
the most cytotoxic compound 1b in vitro caused tumor growth inhibition more
than paclitaxel. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.