Synthesis, characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of di- and triorganotin derivatives of polyoxa- and biologically relevant carboxylic acids

An overview of the development of anti-tumor organotin derivatives, sometim es as active in vitro as doxorubicin, is presented and discussed. Solubilit y in water is an important issue, dominating the in vivo testing of compoun ds with promising in vitro properties. Several water soluble organotin comp ounds gave the best in vitro activities. Novel, useful organotin anti-tumor compounds should be designed toward improved water solubility. (C) 2000 El sevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.