Exploiting Endogenous Cellular Process to Generate Quinone Methides In Vivo

Quinone methides (QMs) are naturally occurring reactive intermediates which play important roles in organic syntheses as well as in a large number of chemical and biological processes. QMs are also believed to be responsible for the ultimate cytotoxicity of many antitumor drugs, antibiotics, and DNA alkylators through enzyme inhibition or DNA alkylation. Many different chemical methods have been developed to synthesize QMs and their derivatives. This review highlights generation of QMs by exploiting cellular process and their biological applications.