Novel hydrophilic analogs of 4,8-dihydrobenzodithiophene-4,8-diones as anticancer agents

A derivative of 4,8-dihydrobenzodithiophene-4,8-dione having the formulas (D) or (E):

• wherein Y and Z independently are O, S, —NH—, or Se;
• A1 and A2 independently are O, S, or NR5, wherein R5 is H or alkyl;
• R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently are H, alkyl, —CR5R6—X—C(O)—(CH2)nCOOH, —CR5R6—X—(CH2)nCOOH, —CR5R6—X—(CH2)nNR5R6, —C(O)—NR6—(CR5R6)nCOOH, —C(O)—NR6—(CR5R6)nNR5R6, —CR5R6—C(O)—(CH2)nCOOH, —CR5R6—X—C(O)—(CH2)nNR5R6, —C(O)—(CR5R6)nCOOH, —C(O)—(CR5R6)nNR5R6, —CR5═N—(CH2)nCOOH, —CR5═N—(CH2)nNR5R6, —CR5═NOH, or
• wherein X is O, S, or NH;
• R5 is defined as above;
• R6 is H or alkyl;
• and n is 1-5;
• subject to the proviso that at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a radical other than hydrogen and alkyl;
• or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.