| abstract |
Novel mono- and dihydroxy phenylethylamine derivatives useful in treating melanoma are provided having the formulae (Ia, Ib or Ic). In the above formulae, R a is hydrogen or —COOR b, R b is hydrogen or C 1-6 alkyl; R e and R e independently represent hydrogen and hydroxy, R f is hydrogen, C 1-4? alkyl or halogen, X is —CHOH—, —CH 2 -oxygen or sulphur, m is zero or 1, W is oxygen or sulphur, and —ODrug, —NHDrug and —N(Drug) 2 each represent a residue of a therapeutically active agent. The above compounds are prodrugs which are inactive until metabolised by enzymes expressed by host melanoma cells. The invention allows a greater amount of active agent to be used while reducing systemic side effects. |