Use of derivatives of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene for the preparation of an anti-tumor medicament

The use of products of formula (I) is described, wherein X and Y represent hydrogen, hydroxy or alkoxy; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent H, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, arylalkyl, acyl or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together with nitrogen form a heterocycle for preparing an antitumoral drug. ##STR1##

The invention relates to the use of derivatives of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 
for the preparation of an anti-tumor medicament and notably of an 
anti-cancer medicament, the use as medicaments of derivatives of 
9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and products derived from this structure 
The expression of oncogenes in a cell of a mammal leads to the 
transformation of types of normal cells into cancerous cells. Said 
transformation is caused by the infection of a cell by a retrovirus. There 
can be cited as a well-known example, the infection of hens by the Rous 
virus which leads to the appearance of a cancer. The corresponding 
oncogene which is responsible for the malignant transformation was named 
"SRC" gene (J. S. Grugge RL Erikson, Nature 269, 346-348 (1977). 
Many oncogenes known up until now, are characterized by the expression of a 
protein possessing a kinase activity. These enzymes catalyse the transfer 
of the terminal phosphate group of ATP onto an amino acid. Contrary to 
many of the other proteinkinases which transfer the phosphate group onto a 
seryl or threonyl remainder, the majority of oncogene kinases 
phosphorylize a tyrosyl remainder of the protein chain. Moreover it is 
known that the oncogene products, namely those of v-mos, v-mil and v-raf 
oncogenes have a specific serine/threonine proteinkinase activity (K. 
Rolling et al., Nature (London) 312, 558-561 (1984), B. Singh et al., 
Journal of Virology 60, 1149-1152 (1986). 
The tyrosinekinase activity plays an integral part in the function of 
certain growth factor receptors. New results show that the growth of many 
tumors depends on the presence of growth factors such as Epidermal Growth 
Factor (EGF), the "Transforming Growth Factor Alpha (TGFAlpha) or the 
"Platelet Derived Growth Factor" (PDGF) (A. S. Goustin, G. D. Shipley, H. 
L. Moses, Cancer Research 46, 1015-1029 (1986). As a consequence of the 
link between the growth factor and its receptor, the tyrosinekinase, which 
is a specific component of the growth factor receptor, is stimulated. 
Therefore it is to be expected that an inhibitor of tyrosinekinase and also 
of serine/threoninekinase can inhibit the growth and the proliferation of 
tumors and can be used in anti-tumor therapy. 
It has just been discovered, in a surprising fashion, that the products of 
formula (I) as defined hereafter are oncogene kinases inhibitors such as 
tyrosinekinase, serine/threoninekinase and tyrosinekinase of the growth 
factor receptor and are thus of use in the treatment of tumor-related 
illnesses. The products of formula (I) which have anti-proliferative, 
anti-oncotic and carcinostatic properties can, in particular, be used to 
inhibit the growth and proliferation of tumors and in tumor therapy. 
Therefore a subject of the present invention is the use of products of 
general formula I): 
##STR2## 
in which X and Y, identical of different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms 
and hydroxy radicals and alkyloxy radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen 
atoms, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals having at most 4 carbon atoms, 
arylalkyl and acyl radicals, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 from together with the 
nitrogen atom to which they are linked a heterocycle with five or six 
links capable of carrying an optionally substituted second heteroatom 
chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atoms, as well as their addition 
salts with mineral or organic acids for the preparation of an anti-tumor 
medicament. 
Among the values of X and Y there can be mentioned in addition to the 
hydrogen and hydroxy values, the following radicals: methoxy, ethoxy, 
propyloxy, isopropyloxy, butyloxy, sec-butyloxy, isobutyloxy, 
tert-butyloxy. The hydroxy value is preferred. 
Among the values of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, there can be mentioned in addition 
to the hydrogen values, the following radicals: 
methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, secbutyl, tert-butyl, 
vinyl, allyl, propenyl, 
ethynyl, propargyl, 1-propynyl, 3-butynyl, 
benzyl, phenylethyl, 
formyl, acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl. 
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can also form with the nitrogen atom to which they are 
linked, the following radicals: pyrrolidinyl, imidazolinyl, 
imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, 
methylpiperazinyl, ethylpiperazinyl or propylpiperazinyl. 
The addition salts with mineral or organic acids can be, for example, the 
salts formed with the following acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, nitric, 
sulphuric, phosphoric, acetic, formic, propionic, malonic, maleic, 
fumaric, succinic, tartaric, citric, oxalic, glyoxalic, aspartic, 
alkanesulphonic, such as methane- or ethanesulphonic acids, 
arenesulphonic, such as benzene- or paratoluene sulphonic acids and 
arylcarboxylic, such as benzoic acids. The preferred salts are 
hydrochlorides, hydrobromides and acetates. 
The medicaments which are subjects of the present invention can be 
presented in the form of pharmaceutical compositions intended for 
administration by digestive, parenteral or local route. They can be 
prescribed in the form of plain or sugar-coated tablets, capsules, 
granules, suppositories, injectable preparations, ointments, creams, gels, 
which are prepared according to the usual methods. 
The active ingredient or ingredients can be incorporated with the 
excipients usually employed in these pharmaceutical compositions, such as 
talc, gum arabic, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, cocoa butter, 
aqueous or non-aqueous vehicles, fatty substances of animal or vegetable 
origin, paraffin derivatives, glycols, various wetting, dispersing or 
emulsifying agents, preservatives. 
The dosage varies as a function of the affection to be treated and the 
administration route, for example, it can vary from 10 to 500 mg per day 
for an adult by oral route, Preferably the dose used can be from 50 to 250 
mg per day by oral route. 
In particular a subject of the invention is the use of the products of 
formula (I.sub.a): 
##STR3## 
in which X.sub.a and Y.sub.a are such that either they each represent a 
hydroxy radical, or one represents a hydroxy radical and the other a 
hydrogen atom, R.sub.1a and R.sub.2a are chosen from the alkyl radicals 
having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl and the acyl radicals, 
preferably formyl, acetyl or benzoyl, as well as their addition salts with 
mineral or organic acids, preferably hydrochlorides, hydrobromides and 
acetates, for the preparation of an anti-tumor medicament. 
More particularly a subject of the invention is the use of one of the 
following products: 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-dimethylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, and their addition 
salts with mineral or organic acids, for the preparation of an anti-tumor 
medicament. 
Also a subject of the invention is, as medicaments, the products of general 
formula (I'): 
##STR4## 
in which X' and Y', identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms 
and hydroxy and alkyloxy radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R'.sub.1 
and R'.sub.2, identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms, 
alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals having at most 4 carbon atoms, 
arylalkyl and acyl radicals, or R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 form together with 
the nitrogen atom to which they are linked a heterocycle with five or six 
links being able to carry a second optionally substituted heteroatom 
chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atoms, it being understood that: 
a) when X' and Y' each represent a hydroxy radical in positions 3 and 4, 
R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 cannot each represent a methyl radical, 
b) when X' and Y' each represent a hydroxy or methoxy radical in positions 
2 and 3, R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 cannot each represent a hydrogen atom, 
c) when X' and Y' each represent a methoxy radical in positions 2 and 3, 
R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 cannot represent one of them a hydrogen atom and the 
other a benzoyl radical, as well as the addition salts with mineral or 
organic acids. 
Particularly a subject of the invention is, as a medicament, 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and its addition 
salts with mineral or organic acids. 
Also a subject of the invention is the pharmaceutical compositions 
containing as active ingredient at least one of the medicaments defined 
above. 
The pharmaceutical compositions which are a subject of the invention can be 
prepared as indicated above. 
Also a subject of the invention is the products of general formula (I"): 
##STR5## 
in which X" and Y", identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms 
and hydroxy and alkoxy radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R".sub.1 
and R".sub.2, identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms, 
alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals having at most 4 carbon atoms, 
arylalkyl and acyl radicals, or R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 form together with 
the nitrogen atom to which they are linked a heterocycle with five or six 
links being able to carry a second optionally substituted heteroatom 
chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atoms, it being understood that: 
a) when X" and Y" each represent a hydroxyl or methoxy radical in positions 
3 and 4, R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot each represent a methyl radical, 
b) when X" and Y" each represent a methoxy radical in positions 3 and 4, 
R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot each represent a hydrogen atom, 
c) when X" and Y" each represent a hydroxy or methoxy radical in positions 
2 and 3, R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot each represent a hydrogen atom, 
d) when X" and Y" each represent a methoxy radical in positions 2 and 3, 
R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot represent one of them a hydrogen atom and the 
other a benzoyl radical, 
e) when X" and Y" each represent a hydrogen atom, R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 are 
such that: 
i) R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot each represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl 
or ethyl radical, 
ii) one of R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 cannot represent a hydrogen atom when the 
other represents one of the following radicals: methyl, ethyl, allyl, 
isopropyl, tert-butyl, benzyl or phenylethyl, 
as well as their addition salts with mineral or organic acids. 
More particularly a subject of the invention is the product of formula (I") 
as defined above and corresponding to the following formula: - 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and its addition 
salts with mineral or organic acids. 
The products of formula (I") are new products. The products of formulae (I) 
and (I') are known and can be prepared by processes described in the 
literature. 
Notably the following references can be mentioned: 
J. Comput-Aided Mol. Des. (1987) 1(2), 143-152 
J. Med. Chem. (1975), 18(1), 108-110 
J. Med. Chem. (1978), 21(4), 395-8 
Br. J. Pharmacol. (1979), 67(3), 430P-431P 
J. Org. Chem. (1987), 52(5), 753-9 
J. Org. Chem. (1985), 50(19), 3667-9 
J. Pharm. Pharmacol. (1983), 35(12), 780-5 
Zh. Org. Khim, (1983) 19(7), 1552-3 
A preparation method for the products of formula (I") is shown hereafter 
and forms part of the subject of the invention. 
Also a subject of the invention is a preparation process for the products 
of formula (I") as defined above characterized in that on a product of 
formula (I".sub.a): 
##STR6## 
in which X" and Y" have the meaning indicated above, either to prepare a 
product of formula (I".sub.b) corresponding to a product of formula (I") 
in which one of R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 is different from hydrogen and the 
other represents a hydrogen atom, is reacted with either an equivalent of 
a product of formula R.sub.12 Hal in which R.sub.12 represents the 
R".sub.1 or R".sub.2 radical and Hal represents a halogen atom, 
or an equivalent of a product of formula 
##STR7## 
in which R'.sub.12 represents the R".sub.1 or R".sub.2 radical in which a 
carbon atom has been removed and X.sub.r represents a reactive group, and 
the product obtained is optionally subjected to a reduction, or to prepare 
a product of formula (I".sub.c) corresponding to a product of formula (I") 
in which R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 are identical and do not represent a 
hydrogen atom, is reated with either two equivalents of a product of 
formula R.sub.12 Hal in which R.sub.12 and Hal have the previous meaning, 
or two equivalents of a product of formula 
##STR8## 
in which R'.sub.12 and X.sub.r have the previous meaning and the product 
obtained is optionally subjected to a reduction, or to prepare a product 
of formula (I".sub.d) corresponding to a product of formula (I") in which 
R".sub.1 and R".sub.2 are different and do not represent a hydrogen atom, 
is reacted with either an equivalent of a product of formula R.sub.1 Hal 
followed by an equivalent of a product of formula R.sub.2 Hal, or an 
equivalent of a product of formula 
##STR9## 
in which R.sub.1b represents the R".sub.1 radical in which a carbon atom 
has been removed followed by either an equivalent of a product of formula 
R.sub.2 Hal, or an equivalent of a product of formula 
##STR10## 
in which R.sub.2b represents the R".sub.2 radical in which a carbon atom 
has been removed and that in the two cases the product obtained is 
optionally subjected to a reduction, or to prepare a product of formula 
(I".sub.e) corresponding to a product of formula (I") in which R".sub.1 
and R".sub.2 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are linked 
a heteroatom with five or six links being able to carry an optionally 
substituted second heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur, is 
reacted with either a product of formula: 
EQU Hal--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --A--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Hal 
in which m and n are integers different from zero chosen in such a way that 
their sum is equal to 3 or 4 and A represents a methylene radical, a 
sulphur, oxygen or nitrogen atom, optionally substituted, or a product of 
formula: 
##STR11## 
in which X.sub.r and A have the previous meaning, m1 and n1 are integers 
different from zero chosen in such a way that their sum is equal to 2 or 3 
and R' represents a protector group of the hydroxyl radical, the product 
obtained is subjected to a deprotection reaction of said hydroxyl radical 
then said hydroxyl radical is converted either into a halogen atom or a 
reactive derivative, then one or other of the products obtained is 
subjected to a cyclization reaction and finally to a reduction reaction, 
and if desired the products of formula (I") obtained in which at least one 
of X" or Y" represents an alkyloxy radical are converted by hydrolysis 
into a corresponding product in which X" and Y" represent a hydroxy 
radical and if desired the products of formula (I") are converted into 
their mineral or organic acid salts. 
In a preferred method of implementing the above process, the halogen atom 
which can be represented by Hal is preferably a bromine atom, but Hal can 
also represent a chlorine or iodine atom. 
The addition of the product of formula R.sub.12 Hal onto the product of 
formula (I".sub.a) as well as the addition of equivalent halogenated 
products (R.sub.12 Hal or R.sub.2 Hal) is carried out in the usual 
conditions, thus the operation preferably takes place in the presence of a 
base such as soda, potash or a basic salt such as sodium carbonate. 
The addition of the product of formula 
##STR12## 
or the equivalent products 
##STR13## 
is also carried out in the usual amidification conditions. The reactive 
group which can be represented by X.sub.r can be a halogen atom or the 
remainder of an acyl group so that 
##STR14## 
represents a symmetrical or mixed anhydride or an activated ester. 
Therefore, for example, the mixed formyl acetic anhydride can be used. 
Also known amidification methods can be used such as the addition of an 
ester onto the amine in the presence of trialkylaluminium. The reduction 
which is optionally carried out on the products obtained is also carried 
out in the usual conditions. For example, a hydride is used such as 
lithium aluminium hydride or a borane such as the (BH.sub.3, Me.sub.2 S) 
complex. When R.sub.12 represents a hydrogen atom, the operation can also 
take place in the presence of formic acid so as to directly obtain the 
product of formula (I".sub.b) in which one of R".sub.1 or R".sub.2 
represents a methyl radical. 
When a product of formula: 
##STR15## 
is added, the protector group which is represented by R' can be for 
example, a tetrahydropyrannyl radical or a tert-butyl, trimethylsilyl or 
another trialkylsilyl radical. 
The elimination of this group is carried out in the usual conditions such 
as acid hydrolysis using a mineral or organic acid such as hydrochloric 
acid or sulphuric acid. 
The exchange reaction of the hydroxyl radical by a hydrogen atom is also 
carried out in the usual conditions such as the action of thionyl 
chloride. The reactive derivative of the hydroxyl which can be used can be 
the tosylate or the mesylate prepared in the usual way. The cyclization 
reaction is carried out in the conditions indicated above, for the 
addition of halides such as R.sub.12 Hal. 
The hydrolysis of the substituents X" and/or Y" when at least one of these 
substituents represents an alkoxy radical is preferably carried out in an 
acid medium. For example hydrochloric acid or preferably hydrobromic acid 
is used. 
The salification of the products of formula (I") is carried out according 
to the usual methods. The operation then is preferably carried out using 
one of the acids mentioned above. 
The products of formula (I".sub.a) can be prepared as follows: an acid of 
formula (II): 
##STR16## 
in which X" and Y" have the meaning indicated above is esterified by the 
usual methods so as to obtain a product of formula (III): 
##STR17## 
in which Alk represents an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, on 
which product hydrazine is reacted in order to obtain the product of 
formula (IV): 
##STR18## 
which is treated with a nitrite then an alkanol in order to obtain the 
product of formula (V): 
##STR19## 
in which Alk.sub.2 represents an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 
which product is treated with a base in order to obtain the expected 
product of formula (I".sub.a). 
In a preferred method of executing this process: 
a) X" and Y" do not represent a free OH radical but rather a hydrogen atom 
or an alkoxy radical, 
b) the esterification is carried out either by diazoalkane such as 
diazomethane or in the presence of an alkanol such as ethanol, 
c) the formation of the hydrazine of formula (IV) is carried out using 
hydrazine hydrate in ethanol under reflux, 
d) the change of products of formula (IV) to products of formula (V) is 
carried out according to the technique described in the reference J. Am. 
Chem. Soc. (1947) 69, 1998. An aqueous solution of sodium nitrite in 
acetic acid is used to obtain the acylazide which is converted in situ, 
under the action of an alkanol such as ethanol under reflux, into the 
expected product. 
Alk.sub.2 preferably represents an ethyl radical. 
e) The saponification of the products of formula (V) into products of 
formula (I".sub.a) is preferably carried out using alcoholic potash or 
soda. An acidification can then take place for example using a hydrohalic 
acid such as hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid in order to obtain the salt, 
the corresponding hydrochloride or hydrobromide. Such a reaction is found 
in J. Med. Chem. (9175), 18(1), 108-10. 
The products of formula (II) can themselves be prepared as follows: 
phenylacetic acid or a salt of this acid is reacted on a product of 
formula (VII): 
##STR20## 
in order to obtain a product of formula (VIII): 
##STR21## 
which is subjected to a reduction in order to obtain a product of formula 
(IX): 
##STR22## 
which is subjected to a cyclization agent in order to obtain a product of 
formula (X): 
##STR23## 
which is subjected to a reduction agent in order to obtain the expected 
product of formula (II). 
In a preferred method of inplementing this preparation: 
a) a phenylacetic acid salt is used such as the sodium salt. The reaction 
is carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, 
b) the reduction of the product of formula (VIII) into the product of 
formula (IX) is carried out in the presence of ferrous sulphate in ammonia 
water whilst heating (Ber. 33, 1810, (1900), J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 1998, 
(1947)), 
c) the cyclization of the products of formula (IX) is carried out in dilute 
sulphuric acid in the presence of sodium nitrite then of copper prepared 
extemporaneously from copper sulphate, 
d) the final reduction is preferably carried out using a sodium amalgam at 
about 4% on the sodium salt of the product of formula (X) in solution in 
aqueous soda and acidification then takes place using hydrochloric acid 
(Helv. Chem. Acta. 31, 1119-1132, (1948)), 
e) the reaction chain is preferably carried out on a product of formula 
(VII) in which X" and Y" do not represent a hydroxy radical, that is to 
say either a hydrogen atom or an alkoxy radical. 
The nitrobenzaldehydes of formula (VII) can in their turn be prepared as 
follows: a nitration is carried out, preferably using nitric acid for 
example in carbon tetrachloride, on a product of formula (XII): 
##STR24## 
One can start for example with products in which X" and Y" are in the 
protected form such as a hydroxy radical acylated for example by an acetyl 
radical. 
Numerous references will be found in the literature describing the 
preparation of the products of formula (VII) for example: 
J. Med. Chem. (1987), vol. 30(2) p. 303-18 
J. Med. Chem. (1974), vol. 17(10) p. 1086-90 
Can. J. Chem. (1978), vol. 56(21) p. 2725-30 
Org. Chem. (1984) vol 49(7) p. 1238-46 
EP 0,173,349 (European Patent) 
J. Med. Chem. (1987), vol. 30(2) p. 295-303 
DE 2,905,054 (German Patent) 
Chim. Ther. (1970), vol. 5(4) p. 274-8 
J. Heterocycl. Chem. (1973), vol. 10(4) p. 649-54 
J. Heterocycl. Chem. (1986), vol. 23(6) p. 1805-14 
EP 0,028,473 
Acta. Pharm. Suec, (1979), vol. 16(1) p. 64-73 
J. Indian. Chem. Soc. (1969), vol. 46(7) p. 651-5 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,134 (American Patent) 
Ann. Chim. (Rome), (1970), vol. 60(10-11) p. 688-96 
Synth. Commun. (1986), vol. 16(6) p.681-7 
Tetrahedron, (1978), vol. 34(15) p.2355-9 
Farmaco. Ed.Sci, (1972), vol. 27(9) p. 731-43 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,765 
J. Heterocycl. Chem. (1987), vol. 24(4) p. 941-3 
DE 3,707,088 
EP 0,188,094 
J. Indian Chem. Soc. (1969), vol. 46(1) p. 31-8 
J. Med. Chem. (1986), vol. 29(8) p. 1239-40 
Monatsh. Chem. 68, vol. 99(6) p. 2349-58 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,116 
J. Heterocycl. Chem. (1986), vol. 23(6) p. 1821-8 
The preparations for the products of formula (VII) can also be found in 
Beilsteins.

EXAMPLE 1 
3,4-dimethoxy-9-formamido-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 
A solution of 2.2 g of formylacetic anhydride in 20 cm.sup.3 of benzene is 
added to a solution of 4.53 g of 
9-amino-3,4-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (described in J. Med. Chem. 
1975, 18(1), 108-10) in 20 cm.sup.3 of anhydrous benzene. After one hour 
of agitation at ambient temperature the whole is poured into a saturated 
solution of sodium bicarbonate. Ethyl acetate is added followed by 
decanting, washing with water and with salt water, drying over magnesium 
sulphate and evaporating to dryness. 4.8 g of crystallized product is 
obtained which melts at 139.degree. C. 
The product is redissolved in 25 cm.sup.3 of ethyl acetate under reflux. 
Crystallization is started, the whole is allowed to cool down and is then 
chilled for two hours. After filtering and rinsing with ethyl acetate, 
3.556 g of expected product is obtained. M.p.=139.degree.-140.degree. C. 
By evaporating the mother liquors 1.2 g of crystallized product is obtained 
which is taken up in a benzene-ethyl acetate (7:3) mixture then 
chromatographed on silica (eluant: benzene - ethyl acetate (7:3)) and an 
extra 656 mg of product is obtained (M.p.=144.degree.-145.degree. C.), 
making 4.21 g of product in total. 
An analytical specimen is obtained by recrystallizing 100 mg of product 
from ethyl acetate under reflux. In this way 69 mg of purified product is 
obtained. M.p.=144.degree.-145.degree. C. 
IR Spectrum (CHCl.sub.3) 
NH at 3428 cm.sup.-1 
Carbonyl complex 1688-1683 cm.sup.-1 
Aromatic regions+NH deformations 1495 cm.sup.-1 
UV Spectrum 
Infl. 230 nm E'.sub.1 =693 epsilon=19600 
Infl. 260 nm E'.sub.1 =524 
Max. 268 nm E'.sub.1 =635 epsilon=18000 
Infl. 277 nm E'.sub.1 =473 
Infl 298 nm E'.sub.1 =87 epsilon=2460 
EXAMPLE 2 
3,4-dimethoxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (hydrochloride) 
A solution of 5.35 g of aluminium chloride in 30 m.sup.3 of anhydrous 
tetrahydrofuran is added over 20 minutes to a suspension of 1.54 g of 
lithium aluminium hydride in 70 cm.sup.3 of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. 
Agitation takes place for 15 minutes then 3.834 g of 
3,4-dimethoxy-9-formamido-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene obtained in Example 1 
in suspension in 30 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran is. Agitation takes place 
for 5 and a half hours. 
The whole is poured into iced water which has had soda added to it, ethyl 
acetate is added, followed by agitation and filtering. After decanting, 
washing with water then salt water and drying over magnesium sulphate, the 
solvents are evaporated off. 
3.7 g of resin is obtained which is taken up in ethyl acetate with 3% 
triethylamine and chromatographed on silica eluting with the same mixture. 
3.31 g of 3,4-dimethoxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene is collected 
in the form of a resin. 
The hydrochloride is obtained by operating as follows: the resin is 
dissolved in 10 cm.sup.3 of ethyl acetate and ethyl acetate saturated with 
hydrochloride gas is added until a pH of 1 is reached. The hydrochloride 
crystallizes out. The whole is left under agitation for one hour then 
evaporated to dryness. 3.6 g of hydrochloride is obtained. M.p.=about 
265.degree. C. 
An analytical sample is obtained by dissolving 200 mg of hydrochloride in 2 
cm.sup.3 of ethanol. After filtering whilst hot and allowing to cool, 
crystallization is started followed by chilling for one hour. After 
filtering and rinsing, 69 mg of purified product is obtained. 
M.p.=265.degree. C. 
IR Spectrum (CHCl.sub.3) 
Aromatics 1606-1572 cm.sup.-1 
Aromatics+NH.sub.2 deformations 1495 cm.sup.-1 
Absorption region OH, NH. 
UV Spectrum (EtOH) Infl. 230 nm E'.sub.1 =540 Max. 269 nm E'.sub.1 =564 
epsilon - 17200 Infl. 290 nm E'.sub.1 =172 Infl 305 nm E'.sub.1 =75 
EXAMPLE 3 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (hydrobromide) 
3.4 g of 3,4-dimethoxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene hydrochloride 
obtained in Example 2 in 25 cm.sup.3 of 66% hydrobromic acid is heated 
under reflux for one hour under nitrogen. 
The crystallized product is allowed to cool down and is filtered under 
vacuum. After rinsing with isopropanol and drying in the presence of 
P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 3.157 g of expected 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-methylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene hydrobromide is 
obtained. M.p.=245.degree. C. 
The product is redissolved in 20 cm.sup.3 of ethanol under reflux, followed 
by filtering whilst hot, concentrating to one half until crystallization 
and allowing to cool. After filtering and rinsing with ethanol, 1.737 g of 
purified product is obtained. M.p.=245.degree. C. 
IR Spectrum (nujol) 
Aromatic +NH.sub.2 deformation=1632 cm.sup.-1, 1600 cm.sup.-1 
1578 cm.sup.-1, 1509 cm.sup.-1 
NH region, absorption associated OH at 3162 cm.sup.-1 
UV Spectrum (ethanol) Infl. 216 nm E'.sub.1 =855 Infl 270 nm E'.sub.1 =468 
Max. 274 nm E'.sub.1 =502 epsilon=16200 Infl 285 nm E'.sub.1 =343 Max. 
313,5 nm E'.sub.1 =115 epsilon=3700 
PHARMACOLOGICAL TESTS 
1 - Measurement of the Inhibition of Tyrosinekinase of the EGF (Epidermal 
Growth Factor) Receptor 
Membranes of A431 cells (ATCC CRL 1555) are used as the source of EGF 
receptors. This cellular lineage expresses a large number of EGF receptors 
at its surface which have a tyrosinekinase activity. 
These cells are pre-incubated with or without EGF (1000 nM) for 15 minutes 
and are added to a corresponding HEPES buffer 
(N-2-hydroxyethyl-piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulphonic acid) (with or without 
EGP) and containing Mg.sup.2+ (10 mM) and Mn.sup.2+ (2 mM) ions, 0.2% of 
X-100 triton, sodium orthovanadate (20 micromoles) and the inhibitor. 
Samples either containing or not containing the poly substrate (Glu, Ala, 
Tyr 6:3:1) are prepared. The reaction is initiated by the addition of 
[gamma P.sup.32 ] ATP (32 micromoles). After incubation for 15 minutes at 
30.degree. C. the samples are precipitated using 10% chloroacetic acid, 
followed by filtering on a millipore membrane and the incorporated 
P.sup.32 is measured with a liquid scintillation counter. 
The results are expressed in IC.sub.50, that is the concentration of 
substance which inhibits the enzyme activity by 50%, determined by a 
series of dilutions starting at 51 micrograms/ml in the samples containing 
the substrate and EGF. 
The following results are obtained: 
Product A: 0.6 micrograms/ml. 
Product of Example 3: 0.2 micrograms/ml. 
2 - Measurement of the Inhibition of the Proteinkinase Dependent on Cyclic 
3',5'-AMP 
The catalytic sub-unit of the proteinkinase dependent on cyclic 3',5'-AMP 
was reconstituted as indicated in SIGMA.RTM.. The enzyme activity was 
measured using KEMPTID.RTM. (SIGMA.RTM.) as substrate (KEMPTID - 
Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly). 
The inhibitor is pre-incubated at pH 6.9 with the enzyme, the substrate 
(190 micromoles), Mg.sup.+2 (5 mM), 0.25 mg/ml of BSA (Bovine Serum 
Albumin) and 3.75 mM of mercaptoethanol in 50 mM of 
4-morpholinopropanesulphonic acid. 
The reaction is initiated using gamma P.sup.32 ATP (40 micromoles). After 
15 minutes at 30.degree. C. an aliquot is placed on an ion-exchange paper 
(2.times.2 cm.sup.3 ; WHATMAN.RTM.) plunged into phosphoric acid (75 mM), 
washed, dried and the incorporation of P.sup.32 is measured using a liquid 
scintillation counter. 
The results are expressed as a percentage of the enzyme activity inhibition 
at a concentration of inhibitor of 40 micrograms/ml. 
The following results are obtained: 
Product A: 19% 
Product of Example 3: 18% 
In the above tests, product A is 
3,4-dihydroxy-9-dimethylamino-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene described in J. 
Med. Chem. 1975, 18(1) 108-10.