Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of 5-fluoro-5,8-dideazaisoaminopterin

The new folate antagonist, 5-fluoro-5,8-dideazaisoaminopterin was synthesized in four steps beginning with 2,4-diamino-5-fluoroquinazoline. It was found to be a potent inhibitor of human dihydrofolate reductase. Against L1210 leukemia in mice, 5-fluoro-5,8-dideazaisoaminopterin was equiactive with methotrexate at approximately one half of the total dose employed.