| abstract |
A camptothecin analogue characterised in that the hydroxy lactone of the camptothecin is a beta -hydroxy lactone or the corresponding beta -hydroxyacid, resulting from the opening of said lactone, or a derivative of said beta -hydroxyacid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed. In particular, compounds of formulae (I) and (II) are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds of formulae (I) and (II), pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds, and their use, particularly as topoisomerase inhibitors and antitumoral drugs, are also disclosed. |