Effects of new triphenylethylene platinum(II) complexes on the interaction with phosphatidylcholine liposomes

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of the first ferrocenyl-aryl-hydantoin derivatives of the nonsteroidal antiandrogen nilutamide

We present here the first synthesis of organometallic complexes derived from the nonsteroidal antiandrogen nilutamide, bearing a ferrocenyl substituent at position N(1) or at C(5) of the hydantoin ring; for comparison, we also describe the C(5) p-anisyl organic analogue. All of these complexes retain a modest affinity for the androgen receptor. The N-substituted complexes show a weak or moderate antiproliferative effect (IC 50 around 68 microM) on hormone-dependent and -independent prostate cancer cells, while the C(5)-substituted compounds exhibit toxicity levels 10 times higher (IC 50 around 5.4 microM). This strong antiproliferative effect is probably due to a structural effect linked to the aromatic character of the ferrocene rather than to its organometallic feature. In addition, it seems connected to a cytotoxic effect rather than an antihormonal one. These results open the way toward a new family of molecules that are active against both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent prostate cancer cells.

Metal complex SERMs (selective oestrogen receptor modulators). The influence of different metal units on breast cancer cell antiproliferative effects

The selective oestrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen is a leading agent in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Several organometallic moieties have been vectorised with tamoxifen, in order to improve on the latter's antiproliferative properties by the addition of a potentially cytotoxic moiety, and have been evaluated versus both oestrogen receptor positive (MCF7) and oestrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB231) breast cancer cells. For tamoxifen analogues with ((R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II), cyclopentadienyl rhenium tricarbonyl, and ruthenocene tethers, there was no enhancement of the antiproliferative effect on oestrogen receptor positive cells, nor any cytotoxic effect on oestrogen receptor negative cells, while those containing cyclopentadienyl titanium dichloride showed an oestrogenic effect. However, compounds where ferrocene replaces tamoxifen's phenyl ring were strongly cytotoxic against both cell lines. The synthesis and biological results of these compounds is reviewed and placed in the historic context of inorganic compounds in therapy.