Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new furo[2,3-h]quinolin-2(1H)-one

A new furoquinolinone derivative, namely 4-hydroxymethyl-1,6,8-trimethylfuro[2,3-h]quinolin-2(1H)-one (HOFQ), was synthesized and its biological activity studied. By UVA activation, HOFQ induced strong antiproliferative effects in Ehrlich ascite cells, which lost their ability to transmit the tumor by transplantation. HOFQ exhibited poor genotoxicity and absence of skin phototoxicity. Actually, HOFQ sensitization forms DNA-protein cross-linkages but not interstrands cross-links. Therefore, HOFQ appears to be a new promising drug for PUVA photochemotherapy and photopheresis.