Increase in the apparent intercalation ability of a platinum complex via multivalency by installation into the sidechain of a graft copolymer and observation of structural changes in the intercalated DNA

Preclinical Therapeutic Assessment of a New Chemotherapeutics [Dichloro(4,4’-Bis(2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropoxy) Methyl)-2,2’-Bipryridine) Platinum] in an Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenograft Model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

Cisplatin is one of the most common therapeutics used in treatments of several types of cancers. To enhance cisplatin lipophilicity and reduce resistance and side effects, a polyfluorinated bipyridine-modified cisplatin analogue, dichloro[4,4’-bis(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl)-2,2’-bipryridine] platinum (TFBPC), was synthesized and therapeutic assessments were performed. TFBPC displayed superior effects in inhibiting the proliferation of several cisplatin-resistant human cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 breast cancers, COLO205 colon cancers and SK-OV-3 ovarian cancers. TFBPC bound to DNA and formed DNA crosslinks that resulted in DNA degradation, triggering the cell death program through the PARP/Bax/Bcl-2 apoptosis and LC3-related autophagy pathway. Moreover, TFBPC significantly inhibited tumor growth in both animal models which include a cell line-derived xenograft model (CDX) of cisplatin-resistant MDA-MB-231, and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Furthermore, the biopsy specimen from TFBPC-treated xenografts revealed decreased expressions of P53, Ki-67 and PD-L1 coupled with higher expression of cleaved caspase 3, suggesting TFBPC treatment was effective and resulted in good prognostic indications. No significant pathological changes were observed in hematological and biochemistry tests in blood and histological examinations from the specimen of major organs. Therefore, TFBPC is a potential candidate for treatments of patients suffering from TNBCs as well as other cisplatin-resistant cancers.

Controlled polymerization of metal complex monomers - fabricating random copolymers comprising different metal species and nano-colloids

Acrylate monomers with metal complexes were designed to build polymer metal complexes. The ideal copolymerization of monomers with zinc and platinum was performed to obtain random copolymers with a feeding metal composition. The successful nano-colloid preparation from the polymers further highlighted the potential of the method for building multimetallic materials.

Accelerated Redox Reaction of Hydrogen Peroxide by Employing Locally Concentrated State of Copper Catalysts on Polymer Chain

Copper complexes act as catalysts for redox reactions to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy biomolecules and, therefore, are utilized to design drugs including antitumor and antibacterial medicines. Especially, catalytic reaction for hydrogen peroxide decomposition is important because it includes the process for generating highly toxic hydroxyl radical, i.e., Fenton-like reaction. Considering that multicoppers/hydrogen peroxide species are the important intermediates for the redox reaction, herein a polymer having copper complexes in the side chains is designed to facilitate the formation of the intermediates by building locally concentrated state of the copper complexes. The polymer increases their catalytic activities for hydrogen peroxide decomposition and promotes reactive oxygen species' generation, eventually leading to higher antibacterial activity. This reveals the virtue of building a locally concentrated state of catalysts on polymers toward drug design with low amounts of transition metals.