Synthesis and biological activity of some new 5′-O-acyl tiazofurin derivatives

Abstract Three new 5′- O -acyl tiazofurin derivatives 2 – 4 were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against different tumour cell lines as well as for their ability to induce apoptosis in C6 cells in vitro. Apart of the antitumour assays, the cell membrane permeation of 2 – 4 and their intracellular metabolism in C6 cells in vitro was also studied in order to evaluate their potential as possible tiazofurin bioisosteres or prodrugs.