Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of a series of new platinum and palladium diphosphane complexes.

New organometallic complexes [M(dppe)(R)2] {where M = Pt or Pd, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphano)ethane, and R = C6F4H-x (x = 6,5,4), C6F3H2-3,5, C6F3H2-5,6, C6F3H2-3,6, C6F4(OMe)-4, and C6F4(cyclo-C5H10N)-4, the numbers x refer to the positions of the protons in the polyfluoroaryl ligands} were synthesised either through transmetalation from the dichlorido complexes [M(dppe)Cl2] or through ligand exchange using [M(diene)Cl2] precursor complexes with diene = 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) or 1,5-hexadiene (hex). Alternatively, [M(dppX)Cl(R)] complexes with dppX = dppm (1,1-bis(diphenylphosphano)methane), dppe, dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphano)propane), and dppb (1,4-bis(diphenylphosphano)butane) were prepared in decarboxylation reactions from thallium(i) carboxylates Tl(O2CR). The different preparative methods were compared in terms of yield and purity. Structural and spectroscopic data are reported for the new dppX- and diene-M(R)2 complexes. Antiproliferative activity was investigated for these new complexes against the HT-29 (colon carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines, and the active compounds of this first series together with organometallic dppX or hex PtII or PdII complexes were then included in cell tests using L1210 (leukaemia cells) and the cisplatin-resistant L1210/DDP cell line. Remarkably, promising antiproliferative results were found for a few PtII and PdII complexes, while structurally closely related compounds were essentially nontoxic.

The direct mapping of the uptake of platinum anticancer agents in individual human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells using a hard X-ray microprobe.

Uptake of platinum-based anticancer compounds into individual human ovarian andenocarcinoma cells was measured using an X-ray microprobe. The uptake of cisplatin, a platinum-based compound, in drug-resistant cells is decreased by approximately 50% after 24 h, compared with the uptake of the drug in nonresistant cells over the same time period. The Pt103 derivative of the drug, in contrast, showed an increased uptake by an order of magnitude in resistant cells over the same time period. Increased uptake appears to allow Pt103 to overcome the resistance mechanism developed by the cell. This work additionally shows that the X-ray microprobe is able to directly quantify Pt drug uptake on a subcellular level and can measure the mass of Pt down to a detectable limit of 20 attograms of Pt (2 x 10(-17) grams or 6 x 10(4) Pt atoms) in 1 s. Such exquisite elemental sensitivity combined with high spatial resolution paves the way for quantitative submicron three-dimensional mapping of elemental distributions within individual cells.

Atypical pharmacokinetics and excretion of new platinum analogues in rodents.

PURPOSE: Two new series of platinum complexes with cytotoxic activity in vivo are [Pt(NRCH2)2L2], (R=polyfluorophenyl, L=pyridine or substituted pyridine) and [Pt(NRCH2CH2NR'2)2L(X)], (R, L as before; R'=Me or Et, X=halogen). The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and excretion in mice and in isolated perfused rat livers of a representative compound from each class, respectively: Pt103 (R=p-HC6F4, L=pyridine) and Pt109 (R, L as for Pt103, R'=Et, X=I). METHODS: Mice were given intraperitoneal injections of active doses of Pt103, Pt109, or cisplatin in a variety of vehicles. Blood was sampled at several times to 48 h. Some mice were placed in metabolic cages where urine and feces were collected. In isolated, perfused rat livers, perfusate and bile were collected following a dose of Pt103, cisplatin or carboplatin. Platinum was measured in blood, urine, feces, or perfusate by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Three vehicles used were peanut oil, dimethyl sulphoxide, and saline/Tween 20. RESULTS: In contrast to renal excretion of over 70% for cisplatin in saline, urinary excretion of platinum was less than 24% of a dose of Pt109 in peanut oil, less than 21% of P103 in DMSO, and only 4% for Pt103 in peanut oil. Over 60% of Pt103 was eliminated in mouse feces, and 57% was excreted in bile from rat liver. Plasma protein binding of Pt109 was greater than 90% at 6 h following administration in mice. CONCLUSION: In contrast to cisplatin and carboplatin, representatives of two new classes of platinum anticancer agents undergo minimal renal elimination, but are excreted mainly in the bile and feces. If a platinum complex with a similar excretion profile was introduced into the clinic, there might be a therapeutic advantage in terms of drug toxicity and combination therapy with other cytotoxics.

A randomized cross-over trial to determine the effect of Cremophor EL on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of carboplatin chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Paclitaxel, when combined with carboplatin, exhibits a platelet-sparing effect. Paclitaxel is formulated in Cremophor EL (CrEL), which has been shown in preclinical models to reduce haematological toxicity from radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We sought to determine the effect of a 3-h infusion of 20 ml/m2 (equivalent to 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel) CrEL on myelosuppression following carboplatin chemotherapy, and the effect of CrEL on carboplatin pharmacokinetics. METHODS: A total of 16 patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer were randomized to receive either CrEL or saline over 3 h prior to carboplatin (area under the curve, AUC, 5-7). Each patient was subsequently crossed over to the other treatment. Blood samples were collected at selected time-points for estimation of platinum AUC and 24-h platinum levels. Full blood counts were obtained three times per week. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients randomized, 15 were evaluable. Myelosuppression was measured by percentage fall at nadir and nadir levels. No significant differences were obtained when comparing CrEL and saline with respect to the above end-points after adjusting for multiple testing. There was no evidence to indicate that CrEL altered the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin. CONCLUSION: CrEL at this dose and schedule does not appear to be a major contributory factor to the platelet-sparing effect of paclitaxel when combined with carboplatin, nor does it alter the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin.

Preparation and cell growth inhibitory activity of [PtR(2)L(2)] (R=polyfluorophenyl, L(2)=diene, cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (chxn) or cis-(dimethyl sulfoxide)(2)) and the X-ray crystal structure of [Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(cis-chxn)].

A range of [PtR(2)(chxn)] (R=C(6)F(5), o-HC(6)F(4), p-HC(6)F(4), p-MeOC(6)F(4) or 3,5-H(2)C(6)F(3); chxn=cyclohexane-1,2-diamine) and cis-[PtR(2)(dmso)(2)] (R=C(6)F(5), p-HC(6)F(4) or p-MeOC(6)F(4); dmso=dimethyl sulfoxide) complexes have been prepared from the corresponding [PtR(2)(diene)] (diene=cis,cis-cycloocta-1,5-diene (cod), hexa-1,5-diene (hex), norbornadiene (nbd) or dicyclopentadiene (dcy)) derivatives and have been spectroscopically characterized. A representative crystal structure of [Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(cis-chxn)] was determined and shows a slightly distorted square planar geometry for platinum with chxn virtually perpendicular to the coordination plane. The biological activity against L1210 and L1210/DDP cell lines of these compounds together with the behaviour of other organoplatinum complexes, [PtR(2)L(2)] (L(2)=ethane-1,2-diamine (en) or cis-(NH(3))(2)) have been determined. Despite the use of relatively inert fluorocarbon anions as leaving groups, moderate-high cell growth inhibitory activity is observed. None of the fluorocarbon complexes displayed any cross resistance with cisplatin.

Systematic differences in electrochemical reduction of the structurally characterized anti-cancer platinum(IV) complexes [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}-(pyridine)2Cl2], [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)2], and [Pt{((p-HC6F4)NCH2)2}(pyridine)2(OH)Cl].

The putative platinum(IV) anticancer drugs, [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)XY] (X,Y=Cl, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (1a), C(6)F(5) (1b); X,Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (2); X=Cl, Y=OH, R=p-HC(6)F(4) (3), py = pyridine) have been prepared by oxidation of the Pt(II) anticancer drugs [Pt{((R)NCH(2))(2)}(py)(2)] (R=p-HC(6)F(4) (4a) or C(6)F(5) (4b)) with PhICl(2) (1a,b), H(2)O(2) (2) and PhICl(2)/Bu(4)NOH (3). NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2 and 3 show that they have octahedral stereochemistry with the X,Y ligands in the trans-position. The net two electron electrochemical reduction of 1a, 2 and 3 has been studied by voltammetric, spectroelectrochemical and bulk electrolysis techniques in acetonitrile. NMR and other data reveal that reduction of 1a gives pure 4a via the elimination of both axial chloride ligands. In the case of 2, one end of the diamide ligand is protonated and the resulting -NH(p-HC(6)F(4)) group dissociated giving a [Pt{N(p-HC(6)F(4))CH(2)CH(2)NH(p-HC(6)F(4))}] arrangement, one pyridine ligand is lost and a hydroxide ion retained in the coordination sphere. Intriguingly, in the case of reduction of 3, a 50% mixture of the reduction products of pure 1a and 2 is formed. The relative ease of reduction is 1>3>2. Testing of 1a, 2 and 3 against L1210 and L1210(DDP) (DDP = cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum(II)) mouse leukaemia cells shows all to be cytotoxic with IC(50) values of 1.0-3.5 µM. 2 and 3 are active in vivo against AHDJ/PC6 tumor line when delivered in peanut oil despite being hard to reduce electrochemically, and notably are more active than 4a delivered in this medium whilst comparable with 4a delivered in saline/Tween.