Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of quaternary ammonium derivatives of chlorambucil and melphalan, anticancer drugs designed for the chemotherapy of chondrosarcoma.

To enhance affinity for malignant cartilaginous tumors (chondrosarcomas), quaternary ammonium (QA) conjugates of chlorambucil and melphalan were prepared by linking the QA moiety to nitrogen mustards via an amide bond. They exhibited closely similar and sometimes more favorable values than their parent compounds. In the cell lines tested, the two QA conjugates displayed appreciable cytotoxicity, the QA conjugate of chlorambucil even showing an enhanced efficiency against chondrosarcoma compared with chlorambucil.