Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinones as specific anticancer agents: activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase and induction of apoptosis

A series of 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinones, e.g., I, were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity, cell cycle effects, and apoptosis induction. Strong cytotoxicity was obsd. with the best compds. (±)-trans-20, (±)-trans-21, and enantiomers (+)-trans-20 and (+)-trans-21, which exhibited IC50 values of 3-13 nM against duodenal adenocarcinoma cells. They induced inhibition of tubulin polymn. and subsequent G2/M arrest. This effect was accompanied by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, activation of caspase-3, and induction of apoptosis. Addnl., the most potent compds. displayed antiproliferative activity against different colon cancer cell lines, opening the route to a new class of potential therapeutic agents against colon cancer.