Synthesis and biological evaluation of 13α-estrone derivatives as potential antiproliferative agents

[Display omitted] •13α-Estrones bearing different substituents at C-3 and C-17 were synthesized.•3-(N-Benzyltriazolylmethoxy)-13α-estrone proved to be potent on cancer cell lines.•Presence of the 17-keto or 17-OH functions is essential for substantial activity. 13α-Estrone derivatives containing various substituents on C-3 and C-17 were synthesized, and evaluated by means of MTT assays for in vitro antiproliferative activity against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A2780 and A431). Compounds with N-benzyltriazolylmethoxy moieties on C-3 proved to be more potent than their 3-hydroxy or 3-ether counterparts. Some triazoles exerted substantial cytostatic effects against particular tumor cell lines, with submicromolar IC50 values.