A trans-dichloridoplatinum(II) complex of a monodentate nitrogen mustard: Synthesis, stability and cytotoxicity studies

Advancements in platinum-based anticancer drug development: A comprehensive review of strategies, discoveries, and future perspectives

Platinum-based anticancer drugs have been at the forefront of cancer chemotherapy, with cisplatin emerging as a pioneer in the treatment of various malignancies. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of platinum-based anticancer therapeutics, focusing on the development of cisplatin, platinum(IV) prodrugs, and the integration of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for enhanced cancer treatment results. The first section of the review delves into the historical context and molecular mechanisms underlying the success of cisplatin, highlighting its DNA binding properties and subsequent interference with cellular processes. Despite its clinical efficacy, the inherent limitations, including dose-dependent toxicities and acquired resistance, accelerated the exploration of novel platinum derivatives. This led to the emergence of platinum(IV) prodrugs, designed to overcome resistance mechanisms and enhance selectivity through targeted drug delivery. The subsequent section provides an in-depth analysis of the principles of design and structural modifications employed in the development of platinum(IV) prodrugs. The transitions to the incorporation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) stands out as a synergistic approach to platinum-based anticancer treatment. The photophysical properties of platinum complexes are discussed in the context of their potential application in PDT, emphasizing on combined cytotoxic effects of platinum-based drugs and light-induced reactive oxygen species generation. This dual-action approach holds great promise for overcoming the limitations of traditional chemotherapy as well as producing superior therapeutic outcomes. Overall, the present report explores the latest developments in the development and use of platinum complexes, highlighting novel strategies such combination treatments, targeted delivery methods, and the generation of multifunctional complexes. It also provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape while proposing future directions for the development of next-generation platinum-based anticancer therapeutics.

Differences in Stability, Cytotoxicity, and Mechanism of Action of Ru(II) and Pt(II) Complexes of a Bidentate N,O Donor Ligand

We report [Ru^II(L)(η⁶-p-cym)Cl] (1 and 2) and [Pt^II(L)(DMSO)Cl] (3 and 4) complexes, where L is a chelate imine ligand derived from chloroethylamine and salicylaldehyde (HL1) or o-vanillin (HL2). The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and other analytical techniques. The ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance data show that both the Ru(II) and Pt(II) complexes start forming the aquated complex within an hour. The aquated complexes are stable at least up to 24 h. The complexes bind to the N⁷ of the model nucleobase 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG). Interaction with calf thymus (CT) DNA shows moderate binding interactions with binding constants, K_b (3.7 ± 1.2) × 10³ M^-1 and (4.3 ± 1.9) × 10³ M^-1 for 1 and 3, respectively. The complexes exhibit significant antiproliferative activity against human pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (Mia PaCa-2), triple negative metastatic breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. The studies show that with the same ligand the Pt(II) complexes are more potent than the Ru(II) complexes. The in vitro potencies of all the complexes toward pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 are more than cisplatin (CDDP). The Pt(II) and Ru(II) complexes show similar binding constants with CT-DNA, but the reactivity of the Pt(II) complex 3 with 9-EtG is faster and their overall cell killing pathways are different. This is evident from the arrest of the cell cycle by the Ru(II) complex 1 in the G2/M phase in contrast to the SubG1 phase arrest by the Pt(II) complex 3. The immunoblot study shows that 3 increases cyclin D and Bcl-2 expression in MDA-MB-231 due to the SubG1 phase arrest where these proteins express in greater quantities. However, both 1 and 3 kill in the apoptotic pathway via dose-dependent activation of caspase 3. Complex 3 depolarizes the mitochondria more efficiently than 1, suggesting its higher preference for the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Our work reveals that the same bidentate ligand with a change of the metal center, viz, Pt(II) or Ru(II), imparts significant variation in cytotoxic dosage and pathway of action due to specific intrinsic properties of a metal center (viz, coordination geometry, solution stability) manifested in a complex.