Bis-naphthylureas and related compounds: synthesis, chemical properties, DNA affinity and antineoplastic activity

A series of bis-naphthalene derivatives in which these moieties are linked by a symmetric bis-urea functionalized chain or by an asymmetric amide and urea or amino and urea functionalized chain, were synthesized. The tentativ e synthesis of other types of related compounds did not give the products e xpected. The compounds were assayed as antineoplastics on human tumor cell lines at the National Cancer Institute (USA). Bis-urea derivatives were act ive on lung, colon, renal and CNS tumor cell lines. The degree of affinity of these compounds to DNA was also studied, showing low affinity.