Synthesis, electrophilic substitution and structure-activity relationship studies of polycyclic aromatic compounds towards the development of anticancer agents

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered potentially carcinoge nic. Substituted PAH derivatives, in contrast, may serve as anticancer agen ts, and as chemotherapeutics. This article presents a review of their use. Particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis of these new compounds, elec trophilic substitution reactions and novel synthetic methodologies develope d in our laboratory. Based on numerous reports and the data available, we b elieve that DNA-intercalating and membrane-interacting sites are the target for their effects.