Synthesis, characterisation and in vitro cytotoxicity of mixed ligand Pt(ii) oxadiazoline complexes with hexamethylenetetramine and 7-nitro-1,3,5-triazaadamantane

Facile construction of the all-bridge-position-functionalized 2,4,6,8-tetraazaadamantane skeleton and conversion of its N-functionalities

An unusual protocol of a “one-pot” three-step strategy to build the 2,4,6,8-tetraazaadamantane skeleton was developed. 17 products were obtained in 19–46% yields, and the N-benzyl groups were transferred to nitroso, acetyl, benzoyl and nitro groups.

trans-Platinum(II) Thionate Complexes: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and in vitro Biological Assessment as Potent Anticancer Agents

A series of Pt(II) complexes trans-[Pt(PPh2 allyl)2 (κ1 -S-SR)2 ], 1, PPh2 allyl=allyldiphenylphosphine, SR=pyridine-2-thiol (Spy, 1 a), 5-(trifluoromethyl)-pyridine-2-thiol (SpyCF3 -5, 1 b), pyrimidine-2-thiol (SpyN, 1 c), benzothiazole-2-thiol (Sbt, 1 d), benzimidazole-2-thiol (Sbi, 1 e), were synthesized. They were characterized by NMR, HR ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography. Treatment of human cancer cell lines (A549, SKOV3, MCF-7) with these complexes resulted in promising antitumor effects in comparison with cisplatin. These compounds showed suitable selectivity between tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic (MCF-10 A) cell lines. Analyses of cell cycle progression and apoptosis were conducted for 1 a, the most cytotoxic compound, to screen dose/time response and to study the antiproliferative mechanism. An electrophoresis mobility shift assay was performed to assess the direct interaction of 1 a with DNA and the strong genotoxic ability was indicated through the comet assay method.

Studies on gold-nitrone systems

A series of novel Au(i)-nitrone complexes with specific catalytic properties were prepared. Furthermore, Au(i)- and Au(iii)-oxadiazole complexes were formed by a novel Au-generated nitrile-nitrone [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and the crystal structures of Au(i)-nitrones as well as the Au(i)- and Au(iii)-oxadiazole complexes were studied (X-ray). A useful one-pot Au(iii)-mediated cycloaddition method was developed for the formation of a number of dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, involving in situ formation of Au(iii)-oxadiazole complexes. The observed Au(i) and Au(iii) dual selective reactivity gives new understanding about the Au(i)- and Au(iii)-nitrone chemistry.

Novel platinum agents and mesenchymal stromal cells for thoracic malignancies: state of the art and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma represent two of the most intriguing and scrutinized thoracic malignancies, presenting interesting perspectives of experimental development and clinical applications.

AREAS COVERED

In advanced non-small cell lung cancer, molecular targeted therapy is the standard first-line treatment for patients with identified driver mutations; on the other hand, chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients without EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangement or those with unknown mutation status. Once considered an ineffective therapy in pulmonary neoplasms, immunotherapy has been now established as one of the most promising therapeutic options. Mesenchymal stromal cells are able to migrate specifically toward solid neoplasms and their metastatic localizations when injected intravenously. This peculiar cancer tropism has opened up an emerging field to use them as vectors to deliver antineoplastic drugs for targeted therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

Molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the new alternatives to standard chemotherapy. Mesenchymal stromal cells are a new promising tool in oncology and-although not yet utilized in the clinical practice, we think they will represent another main tool for cancer therapy and will probably play a leading role in the field of nanovectors and molecular medicine.