In Vitro Antitumor Evaluation of Acrylic Acid Derivatives Bearing Quinolinone Moiety as Novel Anticancer Agents

Background: Due to the emergence of resistance to available anticancer agents, the demand for new cytotoxic agents has grown. Objective: This study aims at synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of new acrylic acid derivatives bearing quinolinone and halogenated quinolinone derivatives against three cancer cell lines. Methods: New acrylic acid derivatives bearing quinolinone and halogenated quinolinone moieties were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic activity against breast MCF-7, liver HepG2, and colon HCT-116 cancer cell lines. Results: Molecules 3 and 8 showed the most potent cytotoxic activity against HCT-116. DNA flow cytometry assay showed cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and cellular apoptosis. Moreover, molecules 3 and 8 showed cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitory activity compared to the untreated control sample. Conclusion: Acrylic acid derivatives bearing quinolinone and halogenated quinolinone moieties represent an important core and could be used as a lead for further development of drug compounds in order to achieve promising therapeutic results.