Several derivatives of 5-substituted 2-bromoindolo[3,2-b]quinoxaline were synthesized and characterized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activity using the National Cancer Institute-in vitro-disease oriented antitumor screen and two biochemical mechanism-based screens (cdc2 kinase and cdc25 phosphatase). Compound 19 showed broad spectrum antitumor activity with full panel (MG-MID) GI50. TGI, and LC50 of 14.2, 31.6- and 66.2 microM, respectively. In addition it inhibited cdc2 kinase and cdc25 phosphatase with IC50's of 70 and 25 microM, respectively. Thus, compound 19 represents a model for compounds with potential antitumor activity and cdc25 phosphatase inhibitory properties.