Synthesis and evaluation of haloperidol metabolite II prodrugs as anticancer agents

The use of haloperidol metabolite II (HP-metabolite II) prodrugs is an emerging strategy in the treatment of cancer. HP-metabolite II exhibits antiproliferative properties at micromolar concentrations inducing apoptosis in different types of cancer. Thus, the application of the prodrug approach appears as a useful method leading to much more desirable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Some studies have shown that the esterification of the hydroxyl group of HP-metabolite II with 4-phenylbutiric acid (4-PBA) or valproic acid enhances the anticancer therapeutic potency. The current progresses in the design, synthesis and evaluation of anticancer activity of HP metabolite II prodrugs will be discussed in this review.