These are the first results on a recently published study investigating the anticancer activity of squaramides carried out in collaboration with our collegue and friend Dr. Gemma Triola (IQAC-CISC). This article is part of a themed collection: Special issue devoted to “New Talents: Europe. Medicinal Chemistry” where Gemma was invited to contribute.

Congratulations and thank you so much for making us part of it!

“Squaramides with cytotoxic activity against human gastric carcinoma cells HGC-27: synthesis and mechanism of action” Quintana, M.; Alegre-Requena, J. V.; Marqués-López, E.; Herrera, R. P.; Triola, G. Med. Chem. Commun., 2016, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C5MD00515A

Abstract. A series of squaramates and squaramides have been synthesized and their cytotoxic activity has been investigated in different cancer cell lines. Among the studied compounds, squaramide 34 showed a potent and selective cytotoxicity against the human gastric cancer cell line HGC-27. Studies directed to elucidate the mechanism of induced cell death were performed. Cell cycle distribution analysis and cell death studies showed that compound 34 induces cell cycle arrest at the G₁ phase and caspase-dependent apoptosis. In conclusion, squaramide 34 can be considered a potential anticancer agent for gastric carcinoma.