Podophyllotoxin (Fig. 1) is the starting material for the semi-synthesis of the anticancer drugs etoposide, etopophos and tenoposide. These antineoplastic pharmaceuticals block DNA topoisomerase II and have been used for the treatment of small and large cell lung, refractory testicular, stomach and pancreatic cancers, as well as myeloid leukemias [1a]. The podophyllotoxin core structure possesses a dual mode of action, ie, inhibition of DNA ...