Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Spermine and Spermidine Analogs of the Shark Aminosterol Squalamine

Great attention has recently been focused on the shark aminosterol squalamine (1) because of its important antimicrobial and antiangiogenic activities. Herein, we present the different series of spermine and spermidine analogs that have been synthesized. Many of the squalamine mimics demonstrate a broad spectrum activity against microorganisms. Squalamine is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials in cancer patients. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)