Mammary tumor inhibiting effect of 3,3'-diacetoxy-alpha ,beta -dialkylstilbenes and of related stilbene oxides

Abstract

3,3'-Diacetoxy-alpha ,beta -dialkylstilbenes (C1-4 alkyl), 3,3'-dihydroxy-alpha ,beta -diethylstilbene (I) [80149-87-7], and their corresponding stilbene oxides were synthesized. These compds. competitively antagonized in vitro the interaction of 3H-labeled estradiol [50-28-2] with its receptor. 3,3'-diacetoxy-alpha ,beta -diethylstilbene [80149-84-4], 3,3'-diacetoxy-alpha ,beta -diethylstilbene oxide [80149-88-8] And their phenolic analogs were most effective. Shortening or lengthening the alkyl side chains led to a decrease in receptor affinity. Among the stilbenes and epoxides, those with C2H5 and C3H7 groups caused the strongest inhibition of the growth of a hormone-dependent postmenopausal human mammary carcinoma serially implanted in nude mice. The strong antitumor activity of I and its epoxide (II) [80149-95-7] was confirmed by expts. on the DMBA-induced, hormone-dependent mammary carcinoma of the Sprague-Dawley rat.