Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 17-[1′,2′,3′]-selenadiazolylpregnenolone compounds

Abstract Using pregnenolone as a starting material, some 3-substituted 17-[1′,2′,3′]-selenadiazolylpregnenolone derivatives were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by IR, NMR and HRMS. The in vitro antitumor activity of the compounds was assayed against PC-3、SKOV3、T47D、MCF-7 and HEK293T cell lines. The results show that some compounds display selective antiproliferative activity against PC-3 and SKOV3 cells lines and are almost inactive to normal kidney epithelial cells (HEK293T). The IC 50 value are much better than that of abiraterone (positive control).