Z-K8 (<b>2</b>), the racemic form of isochaihulactone (<b>1</b>), previously showed significant antitumor effects in A549 and LNCaP tumor-bearing mice. In the present study, 17 derivatives of <b>2</b>, were designed, synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against four human tumor cell lines. All new derivatives exhibited high potency against A549 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-overexpressing KBvin. One of our new derivative exhibited greater activity against three tested tumor cells (A549, KB, and KB-VIN) than <b>2</b>, and induced cell cycle arrest in the G<sub>2</sub>/M phase. Moreover, SAR conclusions were first established for this series of compounds. Our study clearly identified a structural feature that should be retained for good activity and also a moiety that can tolerate various modifications and, thus, is ideal for further changes.