DNA minor groove binders as potential antitumor and antimicrobial agents

DNA minor groove binders constitute an important class of derivatives in anticancer therapy. Some of these compounds form noncovalent complexes with DNA (e.g. distamycin A, Hoechst 33258 and pentamidine) while others DNA-binding compounds (such as CC-1065) cause cleavages in the DNA backbone. In this article we have reviewed the minor groove binders currently in preclinical evaluation in the last years. Diarylamidines such as DAPI, berenil and pentamidine; bis-benzimidazoles such as Hoechst 33258; ecteinascidins, pyrrololo [2,1-c]-[1,4]-benzodiazepines (PBDs), CC-1065 and distamycins are the classes discusses in this review article. A special section has been dedicated to hybrid molecules resulted by the combination of two minor groove binders, especially for derivatives of naturally occurring antitumor agents, such as anthramycin or the alkylating unit of the antibiotic CC-1065, and distamycin frames.