A new anti-tubulin agent containing the benzo[b]thiophene ring system

A new type of inhibitor of tubulin polymerization was discovered based on the 3-aroyl-2-arylbenzo[b]thiophene molecular skeleton. The lead compound in this series, 2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-6-methoxybenzo[b]thiophene1, inhibited tubulin polymerization, caused an increase in the mitotic index of CA46 Burkitt lymphoma cells, and inhibited the growth of several human cancer cell lines.