text: The thermal Fischer indolization of hydrazones resulting from 4-hydrazino-5-methyl-1H-pyridin-2-one and various beta- and alpha-tetralones led to 4-methyl-6,7-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrido[4,3- b]benzo[e]indol-1-ones and 4-methyl-11-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrido[4,3- b]benzo[g]indol-1-ones, respectively. After aromatization, these compounds were transformed by phosphorus oxychloride, giving 1-chloro-4-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3- b]benzo[e]- and -benzo[g]indoles which were substituted by [(dialkylamino)alkyl]amines. The resulting 1-[[(dialkylamino)alkyl]amino]-4-methyl-5H-pyrido- [4,3-b]benzo[e]- and -benzo[g]indoles, as well ashydroxy  derivatives obtained by demethylation of methoxylated compounds with hydrobromic acid, were tested for antitumor activity in vitro (leukemic and solid tumor cells) and in vivo on various experimental tumor models using the standard NCI protocols. 1-[[3-(Dialkylamino)propyl]-amino]-4-methyl-9-hydroxy-5H-pyrido[4,3- b]benzo[e]indolesappeared  as a promising new class of antineoplastic agents.