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In this review, the evolution of QSAR is traced from the insightful observations of Crum-Brown and Frazier to Hammett's critical equations and finally Hansch's seminal contributions on hydrophobicity and modelling of biological activity based on extrathermodynamic principles. Today's QSAR models can stand alone, augment other graphical approaches or be examined in tandem with equations of a similar mechanistic genre to truly reveal the power of the paradigm. This review will focus on the three standard classifications routinely used in QSAR analysis electronic, hydrophobic, and steric, as well as topological indices. Electronic parameters will focus on Hammett sigma constants and their numerous variations. Dipole moments, hydrogen bond descriptors and quantum chemical indices as well as applications of their utilization will be described. The hydrophobicity parameter will be examined by tracing its early history, its operational definition and its determination by either experimental methods or computational calculations. Steric parameters, which run the gamut from size to shape, will be described by Taft's, Hancock's, Charton's, Fujita's, Verloop's and Simon's contributions. Topological effects, delineated by connectivity indices, kappa shape and electrotopological indices of Kier and Hall are also described. Examples of QSAR models incorporating most of these parameters are reviewed. In cases where the 95% confidence intervals of variables are available, they are listed in parentheses. A brief Comparative QSAR analysis of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI's) is outlined and various models obtained by different groups examining 4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-5-methylimidazo [4, 5,1-j,k][1,4] benzodiazepin-2(1H)-ones (TIBO) and 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)-thymine (HEPT) derivatives are compared for mechanistic insight that could be useful in the process of inhibitor design.

QSAR have been developed for the anticancer activity (growth inhibition) of various tumor cells by bis(11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides), bis(phenazine-1-carboxamides), and bis(naphthalimides). Of the seven QSAR, positive hydrophobic interactions are found in only two examples: bis(naphthalimides) versus human colon cancer cells. This is consistent with other QSAR of anticancer compounds where hydrophobic interactions are found to be unimportant.

Terbenzimidazoles that inhibit topoisomerase are of interest as anticancer drugs. We have reviewed the literature and have developed 13 quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) on cleaving DNA or inhibiting the growth of tumor cell cultures. The results are correlated with octanol/water partition coefficients or molecular refractivity. Suggestions have been made for the development of improved derivatives.