Abstract
Novel anticancer anthrapyrazoles and anthracenediones are available as alternatives to the cardiotoxic clinical agents, doxorubicin and daunorubicin. Certain representatives of these new classes of compounds possess photosensitizing properties. The structural features influencing the photophysical parameters of these agents are discussed. Photosensitizing reactions involving singlet oxygen production, free radical formation, decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides, oxidation of certain biochemical electron donors, DNA damage and killing of human leukemic cells in vitro in the presence of photoactive anthrapyrazoles, anthracenediones and anthracyclines are described.
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