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The past decade has seen a significant increase of research aimed at discovering new drugs for treating cancer, and the increasing number of new antineoplastic drugs approved by regulatory agencies reflects this. Until now, details on the synthesis of these newer agents have been scattered in various journals and in US and European patents. This timely volume deals with the organic chemistry involved in the synthesis of the agents found within antineoplastic drugs, including descriptions of the synthetic schemes for the preparation of over 200 compounds that have been granted non-proprietary names. Compounds are collected in chapters based on the mechanism of action rather than on their chemical structures. Each individual chapter is preceded by a brief description of that mechanism and includes detailed flow charts of the preparation of those compounds accompanied by discussions of the organic chemistry involved in each step. The first half of this volume is dedicated to the syntheses of established chemotherapy drugs. Kinase inhibitors occupy the following chapters with the largest single chapter dealing with the fifty compounds that inhibit tyrosine kinase. This class stands out since over twenty compounds in this group have been approved for treating patients; a rare track record compared to any other class of therapeutic agents. Antineoplastic Drugs: Organic Syntheses is written to appeal to organic and medicinal chemists in industry and academia. It is beneficial to those composing grant proposals for NCI and related organizations. The book is accessible to advanced undergraduates as well as graduates and researchers as well as those with a thorough grasp of organic chemistry.

The term steroid has become virtually synonymous with drug abuse in sport to the majority of the public. However these steroids - androgens - actually comprise only a single relatively small class of biologically active steroids, and are overshadowed by a large collection of compounds, a sizeable number of which are commercial drugs that share the same structural carbon skeleton. The development of these drugs has led to a large body of organic chemistry often denoted as'Steroid Chemistry'. Steroid Chemistry At A Glance provides a concise overview of the main principles and reactions of steroid chemistry. Topics covered include: history, isolation and structure determination of steroids steroid nomenclature and stereochemistry natural sources of steroids synthesis and reactions of aromatic a-ring steroids, androstanes, and pregnanes steroids with a spirolactone at position 17 steroids with hetrocyclic ring A compounds derived from cholesterol Based on the highly successful and student friendly'at a glance'approach, the information is presented in integrated, self contained double page spreads of text and illustrative material. Students of chemistry and pharmacy using Steroid Chemistry at a Glance will find they have a resource with which they can quickly, concisely and confidently acquire, regularly review and revise the basic facts that underpin the properties, synthesis and reactions of this important class of natural products. It will also serve as a handy bench reference for postgraduates and professional chemists.