Epothilone B and its Derivatives as Novel Antitumor Drugs: Total and Partial Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

Summary.  Microtubule stabilizing natural products, as exemplified by paclitaxel (taxol^?), are being considered as novel drugs against malignant therapy resistent solid tumors. Among these compounds, epothilone B and some of its derivatives have emerged as particularly promising candidates for industrial development. The total and partial syntheses of these compounds are described in detail, and some of the most important recent results on their biological activity are discussed. Received December 3, 1999. Accepted December 6, 1999