Doxorubicin prodrugs with reduced cytotoxicity suited for tumour-specific activation.

The three new hydrophilic prodrugs 2, 3 and 4 have been prepared from methyl (4-hydroxymethyl-2-nitrophenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid)uronate (5) and doxorubicin. Their low cytotoxicity, efficient release of doxorubicin after hydrolysis by beta-D-glucuronidase, and in the cases of 2 and 3 stability at pH 7.2 fulfil the preliminary requirement for their use in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy or prodrug monotherapy.