10.1248/cpb.35.2090
The study investigates the synthesis and antitumor activities of various acyl derivatives of 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethyluridine (F3Thd) and 2'-deoxy-5-trifluoromethylcytidine. F3Thd, first synthesized in 1962, has significant biological activities but suffers from a short half-life in plasma due to rapid degradation by thymidine phosphorylase. To address this, acyl derivatives including 5'-O-acyl, 3',5'-di-O-acyl, N3-acyl, 3',5'-di-O-carbamoyl, and 3',5'-di-O-ethoxycarbonyl compounds were synthesized. These derivatives were tested for their antitumor effects against sarcoma 180 in mice through oral administration. The results showed that the 5'-O-hexanoyl compound of F3Thd exhibited the highest activity, with an ED50 value one-third that of F3Thd. Full protection of the sugar moiety with aroyl or carbamoyl groups significantly decreased activity. N3-benzoyl compounds were slightly more effective than F3Thd, but none surpassed the effective O-acyl compounds. The study highlights the potential of these acyl derivatives to enhance the antitumor activity of F3Thd by resisting degradation and maintaining higher plasma concentrations.