Abstract: The present invention provides di-substituted acetalanthraquinone-based compounds of the Formulae (l)-(IV) that are useful for cellular staining and for light-based detection of biological material, e.g. fluorescence-based detection of biological material. These compounds may be used in hydrolysed or non-hydrolysed form. Also provided is a fluorescent complex that comprises a nucleic acid and an acetalanthraquinone-based compound of the invention; and a method of staining a biological sample comprising cells or other biological material containing nucleic acid, which method comprises contacting the biological sample with an acetalanthraquinone-based compound of the invention. In the Formulae (l)-(IV), A and B are each independently of formula —RaCH2CH(ORb)2; or one of A and B is of formula —RaCH2CH(ORb)2 and the other one is of formula: —NRb2.

Abstract: The present invention provides di-substituted acetalanthraquinone-based compounds of the Formulae (l)-(IV) that are useful for cellular staining and for light-based detection of biological material, e.g. fluorescence-based detection of biological material. These compounds may be used in hydrolysed or non-hydrolysed form. Also provided is a fluorescent complex that comprises a nucleic acid and an acetalanthraquinone-based compound of the invention; and a method of staining a biological sample comprising cells or other biological material containing nucleic acid, which method comprises contacting the biological sample with an acetalanthraquinone-based compound of the invention. In the Formulae (l)-(IV), A and B are each independently of formula —RaCH2CH(ORb)2; or one of A and B is of formula —RaCH2CH(ORb)2 and the other one is of formula: —NRb2.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) or a salt thereof in which R1 is preferably an aromatic DNA binding subunit are oxidation-activated prodrugs. The compounds are expected to be converted into an epoxide at the alkene to which R2 is attached by cytochrome P450, in particular CYPIBI, expressed at high levels in tumours. R3 preferably comprises a Nitrogen mustard to provide a prodrug which has 2 alkylating groups. The prodrugs are expected to be activated preferentially in tumour cells.

Abstract: Anthraquinone compounds of the general formula (I) or a salt thereof (Formula I) in which R1 to R4 are each selected from the group consisting of H, C1-4 alkyl, X1, —NHR0N (R5)2 in which R0 is a C1-12 alkanediyl and each R5 is H or optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl, and a group of formula (II) in which at least one of R6, R7 and R8 is selected from X2, and X2 substituted C1-4 alkyl and any others are H or C1-4 alkyl; R9 is selected from H, C1-4 alkyl, X2 and X2 substituted C1-4 alkyl; m is 0 or 1; n is 1 or 2; X1 is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group or an acyloxy group; and X2 is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group or an acyloxy group; provided that at least one of R1 to R4 is a group of formula (II). The N-oxides are useful prodrugs which are selectively bioreduced in hypoxic tumours to the corresponding cyclic amine derivatives.

Abstract: Anthraquinone compounds of the general formula (I) or a salt thereof (Formula I) in which R1 to R4 are each selected from the group consisting of H, C1-4 alkyl, X1, —NHR0N (Rs)2 in which R° is a C1l12 alkanediyl and each R5 is H or optionally substituted C14 alkyl, and a group of formula (11) in which at least one of R6,R7 and R8 is selected from X2 , and X2 substituted C1-4 alkyl and any others are H or C14 alkyl; R9 is selected from H, C14 alkyl, X2 and X2 substituted C1-4 alkyl; m is 0 or 1; n is 1 or 2; X1 is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1.6 alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group or an acyloxy group; and X2 is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C16 alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group or an acyloxy group; provided that at least one of R1 to R4 is a group of formula (II). The N-oxides are useful prodrugs which are selectively bioreduced in hypoxic tumours to the corresponding cyclic amine derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to chemotherapeutic treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer. The invention more specifically relates to inhibition of pan-cell cycle progression with alkylating anthraquinones, which may inhibit mitotic commitment, lead to limited expression of G2 arrest and force cells to enter polyploidy via an aberrant mitosis. The methods of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant cancers.