Synthesis and Evaluation of Some 16-Benzylidene Substituted 3,17- Dioximino Androstene Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

The synthesis of some steroidal dioximes (22-29) and their in vitro antineoplastic activity are described in this report. The oximino functionality was incorporated at position 3 and 17 of the 16- benzylidene substituted steroidal nucleus to study the importance of dioximino moiety on anticancer activity. The synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antitumor activity against the cell panel consisting of three lines (breast, brain and lungs) at NCI, Bethesda, USA. After selective analysis, compounds 23-28 indicated statistically significant antineoplastic activity for further studies.