Superior Chemotherapeutic Benefits from the Ruthenium-Based Anti-Metastatic Drug NAMI-A through Conjugation to Polymeric Micelles

Diruthenium(II-III)-ibuprofen-loaded chitosan-based microparticles and nanoparticles systems: encapsulation, characterisation, anticancer activity of the nanoformulations against U87MG human glioma cells

The aim of this work was to investigate novel formulations containing diruthenium(II-III)-ibuprofen (RuIbp) metallodrug encapsulated into the chitosan (CT) biopolymer. Microparticles (RuIbp/CT MPs, ∼ 1 µm) were prepared by spray-drying, and RuIbp/CT-crosslinked nanoparticles (NPs) by ionic gelation (RuIbp/CT-TPP, TPP = tripolyphosphate (1), RuIbp/CT-TPP-PEG, PEG = poly(ethyleneglycol (2)) or pre-gel/polyelectrolyte complex method (RuIbp/CT-ALG, ALG = alginate (3)). Ru analysis was conducted by energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and physicochemical characterisation by powder x-ray diffraction, electronic absorption and FTIR spectroscopies, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, scanning electron, transition electron and atomic force microscopies, and dynamic light scattering. The RuIbp-loaded nanosystems exhibited encapsulation efficiency ∼ 20-37%, drug loading∼ 10-20% (w/w), hydrodynamic diameter (nm): 103.2 ± 7.9 (1), 91.7 ± 12.6 (2), 270.2 ± 58.4 (3), zeta potential (mV): +(47.7 ± 2.8) (1), +(49.2 ± 3.6) (2), -(28.2 ± 2.0) (3). Nanoformulation (1) showed the highest cytotoxicity with increased efficacy in relation to the RuIbp free metallodrug against U87MG human glioma cells.

Polymeric Nanosystems Applied for Metal-Based Drugs and Photosensitizers Delivery: The State of the Art and Recent Advancements

Nanotechnology-based approaches for targeting the delivery and controlled release of metal-based therapeutic agents have revealed significant potential as tools for enhancing the therapeutic effect of metal-based agents and minimizing their systemic toxicities. In this context, a series of polymer-based nanosized systems designed to physically load or covalently conjugate metal-based therapeutic agents have been remarkably improving their bioavailability and anticancer efficacy. Initially, the polymeric nanocarriers were applied for platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents resulting in some nanoformulations currently in clinical tests and even in medical applications. At present, these nanoassemblies have been slowly expanding for nonplatinum-containing metal-based chemotherapeutic agents. Interestingly, for metal-based photosensitizers (PS) applied in photodynamic therapy (PDT), especially for cancer treatment, strategies employing polymeric nanocarriers have been investigated for almost 30 years. In this review, we address the polymeric nanocarrier-assisted metal-based therapeutics agent delivery systems with a specific focus on non-platinum systems; we explore some biological and physicochemical aspects of the polymer–metallodrug assembly. Finally, we summarize some recent advances in polymeric nanosystems coupled with metal-based compounds that present potential for successful clinical applications as chemotherapeutic or photosensitizing agents. We hope this review can provide a fertile ground for the innovative design of polymeric nanosystems for targeting the delivery and controlled release of metal-containing therapeutic agents.

Biotinylated Polymer-Ruthenium Conjugates: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model

The need for new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer is a clinically relevant problem that needs to be solved. Using a multi-targeting approach to enhance cancer cell uptake, we synthesized a new family of ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes envisaging simultaneous active and passive targeting, using biotin and polylactide (PLA), respectively. All compounds with the general formula, [Ru(η5-CpR)(P)(2,2'-bipy-4,4'-PLA-biotin)][CF3SO3], where R is -H or -CH3 and P is P(C6H5)3, P(C6H4F)3 or P(C6H4OCH3)3, were tested against triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 showing IC50 values between 2.3-14.6 µM, much better than cisplatin, a classical chemotherapeutic drug, in the same experimental conditions. We selected compound 1 (where R is H and P is P(C6H5)3), for further studies as it was the one showing the best biological effect. In a competitive assay with biotin, we showed that cell uptake via SMVT receptors seems to be the main transport route into the cells for this compound, validating the strategy of including biotin in the design of the compound. The effects of the compound on the hallmarks of cancer show that the compound leads to apoptosis, interferes with proliferation by affecting the formation of cell colonies in a dose-dependent manner and disrupts the cell cytoskeleton. Preliminary in vivo assays in N: NIH(S)II-nu/nu mice show that the concentrations of compound 1 used in this experiment (maximum 4 mg/kg) are safe to use in vivo, although some signs of liver toxicity are already found. In addition, the new compound shows a tendency to control tumor growth, although not significantly. In sum, we showed that compound 1 shows promising anti-cancer effects, bringing a new avenue for triple-negative breast cancer therapy.

Zwitterionic Ru(III) Complexes: Stability of Metal-Ligand Bond and Host-Guest Binding with Cucurbit[7]uril

A wide range of ruthenium-based coordination compounds have been reported to possess potential as metallodrugs with anticancer or antimetastatic activity. In this work, we synthesized a set of new zwitterionic Ru(III) compounds bearing ligands derived from N-alkyl (R) systems based on pyridine, 4,4'-bipyridine, or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The effects of the ligand(s) and their environment on the coordination stability have been investigated. Whereas the [DABCO-R]⁺ ligand is shown to be easily split out of a negative [RuCl₄]^- core, positively charged R-pyridine and R-bipyridine ligands form somewhat more stable Ru(III) complexes and can be used as supramolecular anchors for binding with macrocycles. Therefore, supramolecular host-guest assemblies between the stable zwitterionic Ru(III) guests and the cucurbit[7]uril host were investigated and characterized in detail by using NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Paramagnetic ¹H NMR experiments supplemented by relativistic DFT calculations of the structure and hyperfine NMR shifts were performed to determine the host-guest binding modes in solution. In contrast to the intramolecular hyperfine shifts, dominated by the through-bond Fermi-contact mechanism, supramolecular hyperfine shifts were shown to depend on the "through-space" spin-dipole contributions with structural trends being satisfactorily reproduced by a simple point-dipole approximation.

Synthesis of terpolymer-lipid encapsulated diruthenium(II,III)-anti-inflammatory metallodrug nanoparticles to enhance activity against glioblastoma cancer cells

Novel formulations of diruthenium(II,III)-NSAID (NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) metallodrugs encapsulated into biocompatible terpolymer-lipid nanoparticles (TPLNs) to target glioblastoma cancer were developed. The nanoformulations of Ibuprofenate (RuIbp) and Naproxenate (RuNpx) metallodrugs were synthesized and characterized. The procedure rationally designed to avoid structural changes on the coordination sphere of the [Ru₂(NSAID)₄]⁺ paddlewheel unit succeeded in giving colloidally stable and nearly spherical shaped loaded [Ru₂(NSAID)₄]-TPLNs with appropriate parameters (~90% loading efficiency; drug loading around 10%; particle size ~130 nm; zeta potential around - 40 mV). The maintenance of the [Ru₂(NSAID)₄]⁺ framework was confirmed by spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The encapsulation enhanced antiproliferative effects in U87MG cells for both metallodrugs. The RuIbp-TPLNs showed efficacy also against the cisplatin chemoresistant T98G cancer cells. Lack of significant effects for the loaded-Ibuprofen-TPLNs (HIbp-TPLNs) on both types of cells supports the key role of the dimetal core in the anticancer activity of the [Ru₂(NSAID)₄]⁺ metallodrugs. The high cell viability (>70%) found for both types of cells suggests activity associated mainly to antiproliferative effects. The blank-TPLNs internalized into U87MG cell cytoplasm mostly at the first 6 h, by energy-dependent mechanism. The cell uptake of the RuIbp-TPLNs occurred during the first 24 h and it was enhanced in relation to the non-encapsulated metallodrug. The development of these novel metallodrug-loaded TPLN nanoformulations, which exhibit colloidal stability suitable for intravenous injection and enhanced drug cellular uptake, expands the perspective for diruthenium(II,III)-NSAID metallodrugs targeting brain glioblastoma cancer.

Anticancer Ruthenium(III) Complexes and Ru(III)-Containing Nanoformulations: An Update on the Mechanism of Action and Biological Activity

The great advances in the studies on metal complexes for the treatment of different cancer forms, starting from the pioneering works on platinum derivatives, have fostered an increasingly growing interest in their properties and biomedical applications. Among the various metal-containing drugs investigated thus far, ruthenium(III) complexes have emerged for their selective cytotoxic activity in vitro and promising anticancer properties in vivo, also leading to a few candidates in advanced clinical trials. Aiming at addressing the solubility, stability and cellular uptake issues of low molecular weight Ru(III)-based compounds, some research groups have proposed the development of suitable drug delivery systems (e.g., taking advantage of nanoparticles, liposomes, etc.) able to enhance their activity compared to the naked drugs. This review highlights the unique role of Ru(III) complexes in the current panorama of anticancer agents, with particular emphasis on Ru-containing nanoformulations based on the incorporation of the Ru(III) complexes into suitable nanocarriers in order to enhance their bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties. Preclinical evaluation of these nanoaggregates is discussed with a special focus on the investigation of their mechanism of action at a molecular level, highlighting their pharmacological potential in tumour disease models and value for biomedical applications.

Polymer "ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl" conjugates - New emerging anti-cancer drugs

In this work, we aimed to understand the biological activity and the mechanism of action of three polymer-'ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl' conjugates (RuPMC) and a low molecular weight parental compound (Ru1) in cancer cells. Several biological assays were performed in ovarian (A2780) and breast (MCF7, MDA-MB-231) human cancer derived cell lines as well as in A2780cis, a cisplatin resistant cancer cell line. Our results show that all compounds have high activity towards cancer cells with low IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. We observed that all Ru-PMC compounds are mainly found inside the cells, in contrast with the parental low molecular weight compound Ru1 that was mainly found at the membrane. All compounds induced mitochondrial alterations. PMC3 and Ru1 caused F-actin cytoskeleton morphology changes and reduced the clonogenic ability of the cells. The conjugate PMC3 induced apoptosis at low concentrations comparing to cisplatin and could overcame the platinum resistance of A2780cis cancer cells. A proteomic analysis showed that these compounds induce alterations in several cellular proteins which are related to the phenotypic disorders induced by them. Our results suggest that PMC3 is foreseen as a lead candidate to future studies and acting through a different mechanism of action than cisplatin. Here we established the potential of these Ru compounds as new metallodrugs for cancer chemotherapy.

Poly(alkylidenimine) Dendrimers Functionalized with the Organometallic Moiety [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ as Promising Drugs Against Cisplatin-Resistant Cancer Cells and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Here and for the first time, we show that the organometallic compound [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂Cl] (RuCp) has potential to be used as a metallodrug in anticancer therapy, and further present a new approach for the cellular delivery of the [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ fragment via coordination on the periphery of low-generation poly(alkylidenimine) dendrimers through nitrile terminal groups. Importantly, both the RuCp and the dendrimers functionalized with [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ fragments present remarkable toxicity towards a wide set of cancer cells (Caco-2, MCF-7, CAL-72, and A2780 cells), including cisplatin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell lines (A2780cisR cells). Also, RuCp and the prepared metallodendrimers are active against human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which are often found in the tumor microenvironment where they seem to play a role in tumor progression and drug resistance.

Polymeric micelle-mediated delivery of half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with phosphanes derived from fluoroloquinolones for lung adenocarcinoma treatment

Novel half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with aminomethyl(diphenyl)phosphine derived from fluoroloquinolones (RuPCp, RuPSf, RuPLm, RuPNr) were being investigated as alternatives to well-established metal-based chemotherapeutics. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, selected spectroscopic methods (i.e., absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, ESI-MS, NMR, circular dichroizm), X-ray diffractometry, ICP-MS, and electrochemical techniques. To overcome low solubility, serious side effects connected with systemic cytotoxicity of ruthenium complexes, and acquiring the resistance of cancer cells, polymeric nanoformulations based on Pluronic P-123 micelles loaded with selected Ru(II) complexes were prepared and characterized. Resulting micelles (RuPCp_M, RuPNr_M) enabled efficient drug accumulation inside human lung adenocarcinoma (A549 tumor cell line), proved by confocal microscopy and ICP-MS analysis, allowing cytotoxic action. Studied complexes exhibited promising cytotoxicity in vitro with IC50 values significantly lower than the reference drug - cisplatin. The fluorescence spectroscopic data (CT-DNA titration, in vitro cell staining) together with analysis of DNA fragmentation (pBR322 plasmid, comet assay) provided clear evidence for the interaction with DNA inducing apoptotic cell death.

Synthesis, characterization, anticancer and antimicrobial study of arene ruthenium(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole ligands containing an α-diimine moiety

The reaction of the ruthenium arene dimers [(η 6-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]2 (where arene=benzene or p-cymene) with the ligands 4-benzylidene-3,5-di(2′-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L1 ), 2-methoxybenzylidene-3,5-di(2′-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L2 ), 4-methylbenzylidene-3,5-di(2′-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L3 ) and indole-3-carbaldehyde-3,5-di(2′-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (L4 ) in a 1:2 ratio gives the new complexes [(η 6-arene)RuCl(L)]+ [arene=C6H6 (with L=L1(1), L2(3), L4(7), with PF6 − as a counter ion, and L4 (6), with Cl− as a counter ion) or p-cymene with L=L1(2), L2(4), L3(5), L4(8) with PF6 − as a counter ion]. All complexes were fully characterized using 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analyses, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structures of ligand L2 and complex 1 have been determined. The structure of 1 has the Ru atom coordinated with the arene group and to the N,N′-bidentate ligand and to the Cl atom. The arene group occupies the apex, while the ligand and the Cl atom are at the base of a pseudo-octahedral three-legged piano stool. The cytotoxicity of these mononuclear complexes was established in the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2) and for selectivity in the non-cancerous human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293), using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the reference anticancer drug. Compounds 1 and 7 were relatively inactive toward the Caco-2 tumor cells (IC50>200), while complexes 2–5 showed moderate anti-proliferative properties (IC50>100–200). Compound 6, however, displayed better anti-proliferative properties with an IC50 value lower than that of the reference drug, 5-FU, and was therefore further investigated for its antimicrobial activity against six Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria.

Lipophilicity-antiproliferative activity relationship study leads to the preparation of a ruthenium(II) arene complex with considerable in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cells and a lower in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos than clinically approved cis-platin

Ru(II)-arene complexes are attracting increasing attention due to their considerable antitumoral activity. However, it is difficult to clearly establish a direct relationship between their structure and antiproliferative activity, as substantial structural changes might not only affect their anticancer activity but also tightly control their activation site(s) and/or their biological target(s). Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of four ruthenium(II) arene complexes bearing bidentate N,O-donor Schiff-base ligands ([Ru(η⁶-benzene)(N-O)Cl]) that display a significantly distinct antiproliferative activity against cancer cells, despite their close structural similarity. Furthermore, we suggest there is a link between their respective antiproliferative activity and their lipophilicity, as the latter affects their ability to accumulate into cancer cells. This lipophilicity-cytotoxicity relationship was exploited to design another structurally related ruthenium complex with a much higher antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ > 25.0 μM) against three different human cancer cell lines. Whereas this complex shows a slightly lower activity than that of clinically approved cis-platin against the same human cancer cell lines, it displays a lower toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos at concentrations up to 20 μM.

Non-Switching 1,2-Dithienylethene-based Diplatinum(II) Complex Showing High Cytotoxicity

A diplatinum(II) complex was prepared from a new 1,2-dithienylethene-based ligand containing N-methylimidazole groups as metal-binding units. Reaction of the ligand 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-3-thienyl]-cyclopentene (L2(H)) with cis-dichlorobis(dimethylsulfoxido)platinum(II) generated the bimetallic complex trans-[Pt2Cl4(DMSO)2(L2(H))] (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide), whose DNA-interacting properties were investigated using different techniques. Cytotoxicity assays with various cancer cell lines showed that this compound is active, with IC50 values in the micromolar range. Surprisingly, the diplatinum(II) complex does not exhibit the anticipated photoswitching properties; indeed, UV irradiation does not lead to the photocyclization of the ligand L2(H) or of the metal complex. Computational studies were performed and revealed significant differences in the electronic structure of L2(H) compared with L1(H) (i.e., 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-3-thienyl]-cyclopentene, which exhibits photoswitching properties), in terms of the relevant molecular orbitals involved in the UV-vis absorption features, which ultimately is responsible for the inertia of L2(H) toward photocyclization.

Anti-metastatic effects of RAPTA-C conjugated polymeric micelles on two-dimensional (2D) breast tumor cells and three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tumor spheroids

Macromolecular ruthenium (Ru) complexes are a promising avenue to better, and more selective, chemotherapeutics to treat metastatic cancers. In our previous research, amphiphilic block copolymeric micelles carrying RAPTA-C (RuCl2(p-cymene)(PTA)) were demonstrated to improve the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of RAPTA-C (Blunden et al., 2013). However, the anti-metastatic effect of RAPTA-C conjugated polymeric micelles is yet to be established. In this work, we investigated the anti-metastatic effects of RAPTA-C conjugated micelles in both 2D and 3D in vitro breast tumor cell models in comparison with free RAPTA-C. RAPTA-C conjugated micelles showed an improved anti-metastatic effect compared with RAPTA-C for 2D cultured breast tumor cells. RAPTA-C micelles selectively targeted the metastatic tumor cells over the nontumorigenic CHO cells. 3D MCTS assays showed that RAPTA-C conjugated micelles showed a cell growth inhibition similar to that of ten times of the free drug. Further improvement of the RAPTA-C delivery vehicle may provide useful tools to harness ruthenium compounds for metastatic cancer therapy.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The interest in ruthenium drugs stem from their anti-metastatic effect. In contrast to other metal-based drugs that inhibit the growth of tumor cells, ruthenium drugs seem less toxic, but have a pronounce effect on the migration of cancer cells. The ruthenium drug chosen here, RAPTA-C, is capable of inhibiting migration as shown in various assays here. In this publication, we could show for the first time that this effect is enhanced when the drug is delivered using micelles. Important in particular is that the effect is more pronounced in cancerous breast cancer cells while RAPTA-C delivered in micelles does not seem to show any effect on healthy cells. We believe that the presented micelles are suitable carriers for this anti-metastatic drug. The design of the micelle would also allow the encapsulation of other drugs in future studies creating a potentially powerful bullet.

Laccase-catalyzed controlled radical polymerization of N-vinylimidazole

Laccase from Trametes versicolor catalyzes the controlled radical polymerization of N-vinylimidazole, yielding narrowly dispersed, metal-free polymers.

Editorial of Special Issue Ruthenium Complex: The Expanding Chemistry of the Ruthenium Complexes

Recent trends in Ru complex chemistry are surveyed with emphasis on the development of anticancer drugs and applications in catalysis, polymers, materials science and nanotechnology.

1H HR-MAS NMR Based Metabolic Profiling of Cells in Response to Treatment with a Hexacationic Ruthenium Metallaprism as Potential Anticancer Drug

(1)H high resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy was applied in combination with multivariate statistical analyses to study the metabolic response of whole cells to the treatment with a hexacationic ruthenium metallaprism [1](6+) as potential anticancer drug. Human ovarian cancer cells (A2780), the corresponding cisplatin resistant cells (A2780cisR), and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were each incubated for 24 h and 72 h with [1](6+) and compared to untreated cells. Different responses were obtained depending on the cell type and incubation time. Most pronounced changes were found for lipids, choline containing compounds, glutamate and glutathione, nucleotide sugars, lactate, and some amino acids. Possible contributions of these metabolites to physiologic processes are discussed. The time-dependent metabolic response patterns suggest that A2780 cells on one hand and HEK-293 cells and A2780cisR cells on the other hand may follow different cell death pathways and exist in different temporal stages thereof.

Spectroscopic investigation on the interaction of ruthenium complexes with tumor specific lectin, jacalin

Several ruthenium complexes are regarded as anticancer agents and considered as an alternative to the widely used platinum complexes. Owing to the preferential interaction of jacalin with tumor-associated T-antigen, we report the interaction of jacalin with four ruthenium complex namely, tris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)chloride, bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(N-[1,10]phenanthrolin-5-yl-pyrenylmethanimine)ruthenium(II)chloride, bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]-phenazine)ruthenium(II)chloride, bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(11-(9-acridinyl)dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine)ruthenium(II) chloride. Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis revealed that the ruthenium complexes strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of jacalin through a static quenching procedure, and a non-radiative energy transfer occurred within the molecules. Association constants obtained for the interaction of different ruthenium complexes with jacalin are in the order of 10(5) M(-1), which is in the same range as those obtained for the interaction of lectin with carbohydrate and hydrophobic ligand. Each subunit of the tetrameric jacalin binds one ruthenium complex, and the stoichiometry is found to be unaffected by the presence of the specific sugar, galactose. In addition, agglutination activity of jacalin is largely unaffected by the presence of the ruthenium complexes, indicating that the binding sites for the carbohydrate and the ruthenium complexes are different. These results suggest that the development of lectin-ruthenium complex conjugate would be feasible to target malignant cells in chemo-therapeutics.