Duocarmycin is based on its characteristic curved indole structure and a spirocyclopropylcyclohexadienone electrophile to act anticancer activity. Duocarmycin is a DNA minor groove binding alkylating agent and explored as drug-antibody conjugates (ADCs) [1].
[1]. Koch MF, et al. Structural, Biochemical, and Computational Studies Reveal the Mechanism of Selective Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A1 Inhibition by Cytotoxic Duocarmycin Analogues. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2015 Nov 9;54(46):13550-4.