Enhanced potency of a chloro-substituted polyaromatic platinum(II) complex and its platinum(IV) prodrug against lung cancer

The present study investigates the anti-neoplastic activity of a platinum (II) complex, Pt(II)5ClSS, and its platinum (IV) di-hydroxido analogue, Pt(IV)5ClSS, against mesenchymal cells (MCs), lung (A549), melanoma (A375) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. Both complexes exhibited up to 14-fold improved cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin. NMR was used to determine that ∼25 % of Pt(IV)5ClSS was reduced to Pt(II)5ClSS in the presence of GSH (Glutathione) after 72 h. The complex 1H NMR spectra acquired for Pt(II)5ClSS with GSH shows evidence of degradation and environmental effects (∼30 %). The prominence of the 195Pt peak at ∼ -2800 ppm suggests that a significant amount of Pt(II)5ClSS remained in the mixture. Pt(II)5ClSS and Pt(IV)5ClSS have shown exceptional selectivity to cancer cells in comparison to MCs (IC50 > 150 μM). Western blot analysis of Pt(II)5ClSS and Pt(IV)5ClSS on A549 cells revealed significant upregulation of cleaved PARP-1, BAX/Bcl2 ratio, cleaved caspase 3 and cytochrome thus suggesting apoptosis was induced through the intrinsic pathway. Flow cytometry also revealed significant cell death by apoptosis. Treatment with Pt(II)5ClSS and Pt(IV)5ClSS also showed significant amounts of free radical production while the COMET assay showed that both complexes cause minimal DNA damage. Cellular uptake results via ICP-MS suggest a time-dependent active mode of transport for both complexes with Pt(II)5ClSS being transported at a higher rate compared to Pt(IV)5ClSS. A Dose Escalation Study carried out on BALB/c mice showed that Pt(II)5ClSS and Pt(IV)5ClSS were approximately 8- folds and 12.5-folds, respectively, more tolerated than cisplatin. The present study provides evidence that both complexes may have the characteristics of an efficient and potentially safe anti-tumor drug that could support NSCLC treatment.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Platinum(II) Diaminocyclohexane Complexes with Pyridine Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

Cisplatin-type covalent chemotherapeutics are a cornerstone of modern medicinal oncology. However, these drugs remain encumbered with dose-limiting side effects and are susceptible to innate and acquired resistance. The bulk of platinum anticancer research has focused on Cisplatin and its derivatives. Here, we take inspiration from the design of platinum complexes and ligands used successfully with other metals to create six novel complexes. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding affinities, and lipophilicity of a series of non-traditional organometallic Pt(II)-complexes are described. These complexes have a basic [Pt(PL)(AL)]Cl2 molecular formula which incorporates either 2-pyrrolidin-2-ylpyridine, 2-(1H-Imidazol-2-yl)pyridine, or 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole as the PL; the AL is resolved diaminocyclohexane. Precursor [Pt(PL)(Cl)2] complexes were also characterized for comparison. While the cytotoxicity and DNA binding properties of the three precursors were unexceptional, the corresponding [Pt(PL)(AL)]2+ complexes were promising; they exhibited different DNA binding interactions compared with Cisplatin but with similar, if not slightly better, cytotoxicity results. Complexes with 2-pyrrolidin-2-ylpyridine or 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole ligands had similar DNA binding properties to those with 2-(1H-Imidazol-2-yl)pyridine ligands but were not as cytotoxic to all cell lines. The variation in activity between cell lines was remarkable and resulted in significant selectivity indices in MCF10A and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, compared with previously described similar Pt(II) complexes such as 56MESS.

A Near-Infrared-II Polymer with Tandem Fluorophores Demonstrates Superior Biodegradability for Simultaneous Drug Tracking and Treatment Efficacy Feedback

NIR-II (1000-1700 nm) fluorescence imaging is continually attracting strong research interest. However, current NIR-II imaging materials are limited to small molecules with fast blood clearance and inorganic nanomaterials and organic conjugated polymers of poor biodegradability and low biocompatibility. Here, we report a highly biodegradable polyester carrying tandem NIR-II fluorophores as a promising alternative. The polymer encapsulated a platinum intercalator (56MESS, (5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) (1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane) platinum(II)) and was conjugated with both a cell-targeting RGD peptide and a caspase-3 cleavable peptide probe to form nanoparticles for simultaneous NIR-II and apoptosis imaging. In vitro, the nanoparticles were approximately 4-1000- and 1.5-10-fold more potent than cisplatin and 56MESS, respectively. Moreover, in vivo, they significantly inhibited tumor growth on a multidrug-resistant patient-derived mouse model (PDX^MDR). Finally, through label-free laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), in situ 56MESS release in the deeper tumors was observed. This work highlighted the use of biodegradable NIR-II polymers for monitoring drugs in vivo and therapeutic effect feedback in real-time.

Combining the platinum(ii) drug candidate kiteplatin with 1,10-phenanthroline analogues

Drug candidate kiteplatin has been combined with analogues of 1,10-phenanthroline, and the DNA affinity and cytotoxicity have been assessed.

Transition Metal Intercalators as Anticancer Agents-Recent Advances

The diverse anticancer utility of cisplatin has stimulated significant interest in the development of additional platinum-based therapies, resulting in several analogues receiving clinical approval worldwide. However, due to structural and mechanistic similarities, the effectiveness of platinum-based therapies is countered by severe side-effects, narrow spectrum of activity and the development of resistance. Nonetheless, metal complexes offer unique characteristics and exceptional versatility, with the ability to alter their pharmacology through facile modifications of geometry and coordination number. This has prompted the search for metal-based complexes with distinctly different structural motifs and non-covalent modes of binding with a primary aim of circumventing current clinical limitations. This review discusses recent advances in platinum and other transition metal-based complexes with mechanisms of action involving intercalation. This mode of DNA binding is distinct from cisplatin and its derivatives. The metals focused on in this review include Pt, Ru and Cu along with examples of Au, Ni, Zn and Fe complexes; these complexes are capable of DNA intercalation and are highly biologically active.

Transcriptomic insights into the molecular response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to linoleic acid hydroperoxide

Eukaryotic microorganisms are constantly challenged by reactive oxygen species derived endogenously or encountered in their environment. Such adversity is particularly applied to Saccharomyces cerevisiae under harsh industrial conditions. One of the major oxidants to challenge S. cerevisiae is linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LoaOOH). This study, which used genome-wide microarray analysis in conjunction with deletion mutant screening, uncovered the molecular pathways of S. cerevisiae that were altered by an arresting concentration of LoaOOH (75 μM). The oxidative stress response, iron homeostasis, detoxification through PDR transport and direct lipid β-oxidation were evident through the induction of the genes encoding for peroxiredoxins (GPX2, TSA2), the NADPH:oxidoreductase (OYE3), iron uptake (FIT2, ARN2, FET3), PDR transporters (PDR5, PDR15, SNQ2) and β-oxidation machinery (FAA2, POX1). Further, we discovered that Gpx3p, the dual redox sensor and peroxidase, is required for protection against LoaOOH, indicated by the sensitivity of gpx3Δ to a mild dose of LoaOOH (37.5 μM). Deletion of GPX3 conferred a greater sensitivity to LoaOOH than the loss of its signalling partner YAP1. Deletion of either of the iron homeostasis regulators AFT1 or AFT2 also resulted in sensitivity to LoaOOH. These novel findings for Gpx3p, Aft1p and Aft2p point to their distinct roles in response to the lipid peroxide. Finally, the expression of 89 previously uncharacterised genes was significantly altered against LoaOOH, which will contribute to their eventual annotation.