Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
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A glucuronide-based prodrug of etoposide has been synthesized for a Prodrug Mono Therapy strategy. The aim is to selectively liberate the active compound by beta-D-glucuronidase already present in necrotic tumours. ⋯ In vitro, the prodrug was shown to be less cytotoxic and more water-soluble than etoposide itself. Finally, in the presence of the beta-D-glucuronidase, cleavage of the prodrug with complete release of the drug has been observed.