Synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity of ferrocenyl-aminoquinoline-carboxamide conjugates

The syntheses and characterization of new multifunctional aminoquinoline-carboxamides and their ferrocene derivatives are reported, as well as their cytotoxicity against human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2, HTB-37), human breast carcinoma (HTB-129) and a normal cell line as a control (human normal breast epithelial cells MCF-10A, CRL-10317). All tested compounds showed higher activity against HTB-129 cells than against Caco-2 cells. The ferrocenyl-chloroquine amide conjugates displayed higher activity against both cancer cells than did their parent organic compounds.