Enhanced anti-cancer activities of some derivatives of titanocene dichloride

The compounds (eta (5)-C5H5)(2)TiCl2 (I), currently undergoing phase II tri als, (eta (5)-C5H5)(eta (5)-C5H4CO2Me)TiCl2 (II) and (eta (5)- C5H4CO2Me)(2 )TiCl2 (III) are assessed for their efficacies against a small lung cancer cell line. It is found that the introduction of the electron withdrawing ca rbomethoxy group into the cyclopentadienyl rings increases the effectivenes s of this class of drugs, such that III compares favorably with the well kn own cisplatin. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.