Cisplatin and zoledronic acid: two drugs combined in a Pt(II) complex with potential antitumor activity towards bone tumors and metastases.

Treatment of primary bone malignancies comprises surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and analgesics. Platinum-based chemotherapeutics, such as cisplatin, are commonly used for the treatment of bone cancer but, despite their success, outcomes are limited by toxicity and resistance. Recently, dinuclear Pt complexes with a bridging geminal bisphosphonate ligand proved to be endowed with selective accumulation in bone tumors or metastases leading to improved efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. Further improvement could be expected by the use of a bisphosphonate ligand with intrinsic pharmacological activity such as zoledronic acid (ZL). In the present work is reported the synthesis and full characterization of the dinuclear Pt(II) complex [{cis-Pt(NH3)2}2(ZL)]HSO4 which combines two drugs with antitumor activity, cisplatin and zoledronic acid. Both drugs, individually, are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicinal Agency for clinical use. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the new Pt(II)-ZL complex has been tested against a panel of human tumor cell lines.

Improvement of Kiteplatin Efficacy by a Benzoato Pt(IV) Prodrug Suitable for Oral Administration.

Kiteplatin, [PtCl2(cis-1,4-DACH)] (DACH = diaminocyclohexane), contains an isomeric form of the oxaliplatin diamine ligand trans-1R,2R-DACH and has been proposed as a valuable drug candidate against cisplatin- and oxaliplatin-resistant tumors, in particular, colorectal cancer. To further improve the activity of kiteplatin, it has been transformed into a Pt(IV) prodrug by the addition of two benzoato groups in the axial positions. The new compound, cis,trans,cis-[PtCl2(OBz)2(cis-1,4-DACH)] (1; OBz = benzoate), showed cytotoxic activity at nanomolar concentration against a wide panel of human cancer cell lines. Based on these very promising results, the investigation has been extended to the in vivo activity of compound 1 in a Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model and its suitability for oral administration. Compound 1 resulted to be remarkably stable in acidic conditions (pH 1.5 to mimic the stomach environment) undergoing a drop of the initial concentration to ~60% of the initial one only after 72 h incubation at 37 °C; thus resulting amenable for oral administration. Interestingly, in a murine model (2·106 LLC cells implanted i.m. into the right hind leg of 8-week old male and female C57BL mice), a comparable reduction of tumor mass (~75%) was observed by administering compound 1 by oral gavage and the standard drug cisplatin by intraperitoneal injection, thus indicating that, indeed, there is the possibility of oral administration for this dibenzoato prodrug of kiteplatin. Moreover, since the mechanism of action of Pt(IV) prodrugs involves an initial activation by chemical reduction to cytotoxic Pt(II) species, the reduction of 1 by two bioreductants (ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate and glutathione) was investigated resulting to be rather slow (not complete after 120 h incubation at 37 °C). Finally, the neurotoxicity of 1 was evaluated using an in vitro assay.

Anticancer potential of a photoactivated transplatin derivative containing the methylazaindole ligand mediated by ROS generation and DNA cleavage.

The limitations associated with the clinical utility of conventional platinum anticancer drugs have stimulated research leading to the design of new metallodrugs with improved pharmacological properties, particularly with increased selectivity for cancer cells. Very recent research has demonstrated that photoactivation or photopotentiation of platinum drugs can be one of the promising approaches to tackle this challenge. This is so because the application of irradiation can be targeted exclusively to the tumor tissue so that the resulting effects could be much more selective and targeted to the tumor. We show in this work that the presence of 1-methyl-7-azaindole in trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(L)] (L = 1-methyl-7-azaindole, compound 1) markedly potentiated the DNA binding ability of 1 when irradiated by UVA light in a cell-free medium. Concomitantly, the formation of cytotoxic bifunctional cross-links was markedly enhanced. In addition, 1, when irradiated with UVA, was able to effectively cleave the DNA backbone also in living cells. The incorporation of 1-methyl-7-azaindole moiety had also a profound effect on the photophysical properties of 1, which can generate singlet oxygen responsible for the DNA cleavage reaction. Finally, we found that 1, upon irradiation with UVA light, exhibited a pronounced dose-dependent decrease in viability of A2780 cells whereas it was markedly less cytotoxic if the cells were treated in the absence of light. Hence, it is possible to conclude that 1 is amenable to photodynamic therapy.

Folate-Cyclodextrin Conjugates as Carriers of the Platinum(IV) Complex LA-12.

Folic acid has emerged as an interesting cell-targeting moiety and a number of drugs have been conjugated to folate. In this context, new conjugates of ß-cyclodextrins with folate have been synthesised as drug carriers to improve their selectivity for cells overexpressing the folic acid receptor. In particular, both 3- and 6-functionalised ß-cyclodextrins, linked to the α- or γ-carboxylic group of folic acid, have been synthesised and fully characterised. As a proof of concept, the antitumour platinum(IV) complex cis-trans-cis-[PtCl2 (CH3 CO2 )2 (adamantylamine)(NH3 )] (LA-12) has been used as a guest drug. The LA-12-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been tested on tumour cells. In the presence of cyclodextrin-folate conjugates, LA-12 exhibited IC50 values four times smaller than those of LA-12 alone in MDA-MB-231 cells, which overexpress folic acid receptors on their membrane. No improvement of LA-12 cytotoxicity was found in control tumour cells that do not overexpress the folate receptor. Thus, the non-covalent approach, based on inclusion complexes with functionalised cyclodextrins, looks very promising for drug targeting.

Novel antitumor cisplatin and transplatin derivatives containing 1-methyl-7-azaindole: synthesis, characterization, and cellular responses.

The current work investigates the effect of new bifunctional and mononuclear Pt(II) compounds, the cis- and trans-isomers of [PtCl2(NH3)(L)] (L = 1-methyl-7-azaindole, compounds 1 and 2, respectively), on growth and viability of human carcinoma cells as well as their putative mechanism(s) of cytotoxicity. The results show that substitution of 1-methyl-7-azaindole for ammine in cisplatin or transplatin results in an increase of the toxic efficiency, selectivity for tumor cells in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells, and activation of the trans geometry. The differences in the cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were suggested to be due to their different DNA binding mode, different capability to induce cell cycle perturbations, and fundamentally different role of transcription factor p53 in their mechanism of action. Interestingly, both isomers make it possible to detect their cellular uptake and distribution in living cells by confocal microscopy without their modification with an optically active tag.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological activity of platinum II, III, and IV pivaloamidine complexes.

Imino ligands have proven to be able to activate the trans geometry of platinum(II) complexes towards antitumor activity. These ligands, like aromatic N-donor heterocycles, have a planar shape but, different from the latter, have still an H atom on the coordinating nitrogen which can be involved in H-bond formation. Three classes of imino ligands have been extensively investigated: iminoethers (HN=C(R)OR'), ketimines (HN=CRR'), and amidines (HN=C(R)NR'R″). The promising efficacy of the platinum compounds with amidines (activity comparable to that of cisplatin for cis complexes and much greater than that of transplatin for trans complexes) prompted us to extend the investigation to amidine complexes with a bulkier organic residue (R = t-Bu). The tert-butyl group can confer greater affinity for lipophilic environments, thus potentiating the cellular uptake of the compound. In the present study we describe the synthesis and characterization of pivaloamidine complexes of platinum(II), (cis and trans-[PtCl2(NH3){Z-HN=C(t-Bu)NH2}] and cis and trans-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(t-Bu)NH2}2]), platinum(III) ([Pt2Cl4{HN=C(t-Bu)NH}2(NH3)2]), and platinum(IV) (trans-[PtCl4(NH3){Z-HN=C(t-Bu)NH2}] and trans-[PtCl4{Z-HN=C(t-Bu)NH2}2]). The cytotoxicity of all new Pt complexes was tested toward a panel of cultured cancer cell lines, including cisplatin and multidrug resistant variants. In addition, cellular uptake and DNA binding, perturbations of cell cycle progression, induction of apoptosis, and p53 activation were investigated for the most promising compound trans-[PtCl2(NH3){Z-HN=C(t-Bu)NH2}]. Remarkably, the latter complex was able to overcome both acquired and intrinsic cisplatin resistance.

Isomerization of platinum-coordinated iminoethers induced by spectator ligands: stabilization of the Z anti configuration.

Iminoether derivatives of the formula trans-[PtCl2{HN═C(R)OR'}2] proved to be endowed with remarkable antitumor activity in vivo. Moreover, these trans compounds were more cytotoxic than their cis congeners, a trend opposite to that generally observed for corresponding platinum complexes with ammines. The imino ligands can have either E or Z configuration about the C═N double bond, and in the case of R = R' = Me, the E configuration is by far thermodynamically preferred. However, substitution of chloride anions with neutral ligands (L) alters the relative stability of the E and Z isomers. Upon investigation of the derivatives with L = PPh3, AsPh3, Me2S═O, and (H2N)2C═S, it has been concluded that an electrostatic interaction between the oxygen lone pair of the iminoether and the platinum center, fostered by the net positive charge of the complex and the low dielectric constant around the metal core provided by the hydrophobic L ligands, stabilizes the Z configuration. The same factors can favor iminoether isomerization. These conclusions are fully supported by X-ray crystal data. In the case of a reaction with thiourea, an aminic group of thiourea can substitute the methoxy group of a cis-iminoether, leading to the formation of a cyclic compound in a process reminiscent of the McLafferty rearrangement. Such a rearrangement could play a role in the interaction of the platinum-iminoether compounds with target DNA and proteins.

Dependence of the reduction products of platinum(IV) prodrugs upon the configuration of the substrate, bulk of the carrier ligands, and nature of the reducing agent.

Most evidence indicates that platinum(IV) prodrugs are rapidly reduced under physiological conditions by biologically relevant reducing agents, such as ascorbic acid and glutathione; however, the precise mechanisms of reduction are not fully understood, thus preventing rational design of compounds with better pharmacological properties. In the present study, reduction of three all-trans platinum(IV) compounds of formula [PtCl(2)(CH(3)COO)(2)LL'] (LL' = {E-HN═C(CH(3))OCH(3)}(2), 1c, (H(3)N)(cyclohexylamine), 2c, and (H(3)N)(1-adamantylamine), 3c) by two biologically relevant reductants (ascorbic acid and glutathione) and by a classical coordination chemistry reductant (triphenylphosphine) has been investigated. Reduction by triphenylphosphine and glutathione leads, in all cases examined, to loss of the two chlorides and formation of the diacetato species trans-[Pt(CH(3)COO)(2)LL']. This is in accord with an "inner-sphere" redox process in which a chlorido ligand bridges the reductant with the platinum(IV) center. In contrast, reduction by ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate 1:1 leads, in addition to the diacetato complex, also to formation of a significant amount of dichlorido species, particularly in the case of 1c (31%) and to a lesser extent of 3c (16%). The latter results indicate that ascorbic acid is less efficient to promote an inner-sphere redox process (attack on a chlorido ligand), therefore allowing participation of an "outer-sphere" mechanism, ultimately leading to formation of the more stable dichlorido species. The dependence of the yield of diacetato species upon the steric hindrance of the carrier ligand (69%, 84%, and 95% for 1c, 3c, and 2c, respectively) points to the possible participation of a second type of inner-sphere mechanism in which the interaction between the ascorbate and a chlorido ligand of the platinum(IV) substrate is mediated by a platinum(II) catalyst, the transition state resembling that of a platinum(II)-catalyzed ligand substitution at a platinum(IV) center. This investigation demonstrates that different species can be obtained by reduction of a platinum(IV) prodrug (depending upon the configuration of the substrate and the nature of the intervening reducing agent) and can explain some lack of correlation between prodrug and putative active species as well as contrasting literature results.

Cationic intermediates in oxidative addition reactions of Cl2 to [PtCl2(cis-1,4-DACH)].

Oxidative addition and reductive elimination are fundamental processes in transition-metal chemistry. New interest in this field has been generated by the exploitation of platinum(IV) complexes as antitumor drugs. The two extra ligands can be used to render these species more resistant to attack by biological nucleophiles compared to their platinum(II) counterparts, to anchor additional pharmacologically active moieties, or, finally, to target the drug to specific sites by conferring responsiveness to some type of chemotaxis. On the other hand, platinum(IV) species are considered to be prodrugs and to require reduction to Pt(II) to become active. Thus, reductive elimination promoted by biological reducing agents becomes an important issue and it too could be exploited for targeting purposes. In this paper, we investigated the oxidation step in more detail and shown that, independent of the solvent used, a solvent molecule assists the reaction by entering in a trans position with respect to the attacking oxidant. In the case of bifunctional solvent molecules, such as dimethylsulfoxide, both S- and O-coordinated species are formed, the latter being thermodynamically favored. The substitution of the axially coordinated solvent molecule by a free chloride ion is found to be quite slow in organic solvents, as well as in water. It is also shown that the intermediate solvato-species can be exploited for binding just one molecule of another substrate in the axial position.

Single-stranded oligonucleotide adducts formed by Pt complexes favoring left-handed base canting: steric effect of flanking residues and relevance to DNA adducts formed by Pt anticancer drugs.

Platinum anticancer drug binding to DNA creates large distortions in the cross-link (G*G*) and the adjacent XG* base pair (bp) steps (G* = N7-platinated G). These distortions, which are responsible for anticancer activity, depend on features of the duplex (e.g., base pairing) and of the cross-link moiety (e.g., the position and canting of the G* bases). The duplex structure stabilizes the head-to-head (HH) over the head-to-tail (HT) orientation and right-handed (R) over left-handed (L) canting of the G* bases. To provide fundamental chemical information relevant to the assessment of such duplex effects, we examine (S,R,R,S)-BipPt(oligo) adducts (Bip = 2,2'-bipiperidine with S,R,R,S chiral centers at the N, C, C, and N chelate ring atoms, respectively; oligo = d(G*pG*) with 3'- and/or 5'-substituents). The moderately bulky (S,R,R,S)-Bip ligand favors L canting and slows rotation about the Pt-G* bonds, and the (S,R,R,S)-BipPt(oligo) models provide more useful data than do dynamic models derived from active Pt drugs. All 5'-substituents in (S,R,R,S)-BipPt(oligo) adducts favor the normal HH conformer (∼97%) by destabilizing the HT conformer through clashes with the 3'-G* residue rather than through favorable H-bonding interactions with the carrier ligand in the HH conformer. For all (S,R,R,S)-BipPt(oligo) adducts, the S pucker of the 5'-X residue is retained. For these adducts, a 5'-substituent had only modest effects on the degree of L canting for the (S,R,R,S)-BipPt(oligo) HH conformer. This small flanking 5'-substituent effect on an L-canted HH conformer contrasts with the significant decrease in the degree of R canting previously observed for flanking 5'-substituents in the R-canted (R,S,S,R)-BipPt(oligo) analogues. The present data support our earlier hypothesis that the distortion distinctive to the XG* bp step (S to N pucker change and movement of the X residue) is required for normal stacking and X·X' WC H bonding and to prevent XG* residue clashes.

X-ray structural characterization of the bis-guanine derivative of a cisplatin analogue having just one proton on each coordinated nitrogen and a head-to-head conformation: [Pt{(+/-)-N,N'-dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane}(9-ethyl-guanine)2]dinitrate.

The X-ray structural and NMR characterization of a bis-guanine derivative of a cisplatin analogue designed to reduce the rate of the Pt-N7 rotation of the coordinated guanine nucleobases by more than 1-million-fold is reported. The [Pt{(+/-)-Me(2)dab}(9-EtG)(2)](NO(3))(2) (Me(2)dab = N,N'-dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane, 9-EtG = 9-ethyl-guanine) complex crystallizes in the P2(1)/n space group, and the crystal contains a racemic mixture of complex molecules. The data were collected at 120 +/- 2 K, and the crystal and molecular structure (comprising one disordered nitrate) were resolved and refined to conventional agreement factors of R1 = 0.0270 and wR2 = 0.0565. The guanine ligands assume the less common head-to-head (HH) orientation, disclosing full details of the intramolecular relationships between cis guanines and between guanine and cis amine. Moreover, an understanding has been gained of the steric factors determining induction of asymmetry (from carbons to adjacent nitrogen atoms) and puckering of the chelate ring (delta or lambda for R,S,S,R or S,R,R,S configurations at the N,C,C,N chelate-ring atoms, respectively) within the Me(2)dab ligand. The chemical shift separation between H8 signals of the two HT atropisomers and between the two H8 signals of the single HH atropisomer can be explained in terms of canting of the nucleobases relative to the coordination plane and in terms of the different relationships between the H8 proton of one guanine and the shielding zone of the cis guanine. Furthermore, for each configuration of the Me(2)dab ligand (R,S,S,R or S,R,R,S), the NMR data indicate that the handedness of canting is similar for the two guanines in all three (two HT and one HH) conformers (R canting for R,S,S,R and L canting for S,R,R,S configuration).

NMR and X-ray structural characterization of a cisplatin analogue able to slow down the Pt-N7 rotation of a coordinated guanine base by a billion-fold times: 2,2'-bipiperidine(dimethylmalonato)platinum(II) complex.

The synthesis and the NMR and X-ray structural characterization of a cisplatin analogue designed to reduce the Pt-N7 rotation of a coordinated guanine base by a billion times are reported. The [Pt(dmm){(+/-)-bip}] (dmm=dimethylmalonato; bip=2,2'-bipiperidine) complex crystallizes in the C2/m space group, which contemplates a mirror plane bisecting the bip and dmm ligands. Because the bip moiety (R, R or S, S configuration at the 2,2'-carbon atoms) does not have planes of symmetry, the requirements of the crystal symmetry are satisfied by a statistical disorder made of bip molecules of R, R or S, S configurations alternating at the same crystallographic site. Such an unexpected arrangement has been permitted by a "quasi planarity" of the bip ligand [maximum deviation from the mean plane through the C and N atoms of 0.2927(9) A], which allows bip molecules of different chiralities to fit in the same space. The bip array of heavy atoms is overlaid, from both sides, by a layer of "quasi axial" (C)H and (N)H atoms (six per side). Those on one side are hydrogen-bonded to the dmm oxygen atoms of another complex molecule joined in a pair. The distance between the average platinum coordination planes is as short as 3.498(1) A, comparable to those found in crystals of the [PtCl 2(bipy)] complex (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine) and of graphite, in which, however, all atoms of each unit are rigorously coplanar and there are no out-of-plane hydrogen atoms. The NMR data show a net chemical shift separation between geminal methylene protons, with the "quasi axial" protons being always at higher field with respect to the "quasi equatorial" ones. This is in accordance with a rigid bip ligand frame and the inability of the bip methylene protons adjacent to the coordinated nitrogen to rotate away from a cis-G base (G=guanine) during G rotation around the Pt-N7 bond.

Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, cellular uptake, DNA and glutathione interactions of lipophilic trans-platinum complexes tethered to 1-adamantylamine.

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of trans,trans,trans-[PtCl2(CH3COO)2(NH3)(1-adamantylamine)] [trans-adamplatin(IV)] and its reduced analog trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(1-adamantylamine)] [trans-adamplatin(II)] were examined. In addition, the several factors underlying biological effects of these trans-platinum compounds using various biochemical methods were investigated. A notable feature of the growth inhibition studies was the remarkable circumvention of both acquired and intrinsic cisplatin resistance by the two lipophilic trans-compounds. Interestingly, trans-adamplatin(IV) was considerably less mutagenic than cisplatin. Consistent with the lipophilic character of trans-adamplatin complexes, their total accumulation in A2780 cells was considerably greater than that of cisplatin. The results also demonstrate that trans-adamplatin(II) exhibits DNA binding mode markedly different from that of ineffective transplatin. In addition, the reduced deactivation of trans-adamplatin(II) by glutathione seems to be an important determinant of the cytotoxic effects of the complexes tested in the present work. The factors associated with cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of trans-adamplatin complexes in tumor cell lines examined in the present work are likely to play a significant role in the overall antitumor activity of these complexes.

Conformer distribution in (cis-1,4-DACH)bis(guanosine-5'-phosphate)platinum(II) adducts: a reliable model for DNA adducts of antitumoral cisplatin.

In [PtCl2(cis-1,4-DACH)] (DACH = diaminocyclohexane), the N-Pt-N bite angle (> or =97 degrees , as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis) is much larger than those found in other Pt complexes with bidentate diamines or in cisplatin (approximately 91 degrees ). Hence, the possibility exists that in (cis-1,4-DACH)PtG 2 adducts, rotation of the G's around the Pt-N7 bonds is slowed enough to allow observation of different conformers. In accord with this prevision, decreasing the temperature to 238 K enabled us to observe different conformers of (cis-1,4-DACH)Pt(5'-GMP) 2 (GMP = guanosine monophosphate). This observation is the first case in which such conformers for a platinum derivative with primary diamines and untethered guanines have been resolved and represents the closest model to clinically effective cisplatin obtained to date. We also found that the presence of the 1,4-DACH ligand increased the intensity of the circular dichroism signal stemming from the dominance of an HT conformer (DeltaHT in the adduct with 3'-GMPs and LambdaHT in the adduct with 5'-GMPs).

Two polymorphs of potassium trichloro[diethyl (methylsulfinylmethyl)phosphonate-kappaS]platinum(II) with Z' = 1 and 3 in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1).

Two new polymorphs of the title compound, K[PtCl(3)(C(6)H(15)O(4)PS)], already known in the monoclinic form, were obtained by crystallization from acetone-n-pentane solutions of different composition. Both polymorphs are orthorhombic in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with Z' = 1 (solvent ratio 1:4) and 3 (solvent ratio 1:9). In both polymorphs, electrostatic interactions link K(+) cations and [PtCl(3)(SMP)](-) anions [SMP is diethyl (methylsulfinylmethyl)phosphonate] in infinite chains, while adjacent chains are held together by weak C-H...Cl and C-H...O hydrogen-bond interactions.

Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of platinum acetonimine complexes.

The cis- and trans-dichloro- and diiodo-platinum(II) complexes containing two acetonimines (cis- and trans-[PtX(2){HN=C(CH(3))(2)}(2)], 1 and 2 for X = Cl and 1' and 2' for X = I, respectively) or one acetonimine and one ammine (cis- and trans-[PtX(2)(NH(3)){HN=C(CH(3))(2)}], 3 and 4 for X = Cl and 3' and 4' for X = I, respectively) have been prepared from platinum-ammine precursors by condensation with acetone. Except for the cis-diiodo species, in all other cases the presence of a base was required. A crucial role of the ligand trans to the ammine undergoing condensation with acetone has been disclosed: the greater the trans effect the greater the reactivity. In a panel of human tumor cell lines representative of ovarian, colon, lung, and breast cancers, cis complexes 1 and 3 are less active than cis-DDP (mean IC(50) = 20, 12.5, and 2.8 microM, respectively), whereas trans complexes 2 and 4 are more active than trans-DDP (mean IC(50) = 10.6, 26, and 164 microM, respectively), thus indicating that substitution of acetonimine for one or two ammine ligands determines strikingly different effects depending upon the complex geometry.

Platinum complexes with imino ethers or cyclic ligands mimicking imino ethers: synthesis, in vitro antitumour activity, and DNA interaction properties.

Both trans- and cis-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(L)] compounds have been synthesized, L representing either the imino ether HN=C(OMe)Me having a Z or E configuration at the C=N double bond, or the cyclic ligands N = C(OMe)CH2CH2CH2 and N = C(Me)OCH2CH2 (compounds 1-4 for trans geometry and 5-8 for cis geometry, respectively). The cyclic ligands mimic the imino ether ligands but, differently from imino ethers, cannot undergo change of configuration. In a panel of human tumor cells, trans compounds inhibit growth much more than transplatin. Moreover, compound 1 in most cases is less active than 2, and 1 and 2 are less active than 3 and 4, respectively. For cis compounds with imino ethers, the activity is reduced (5) or unaffected (6) with respect to cisplatin. Moreover, unlike trans compounds, substitution of cyclic ligands (7,8) for imino ethers (5,6) generally decreases the activity. This determines, for compounds with cyclic ligands, an unusual inversion of the cis geometry requirement for activity of platinum(II) species. Importantly,1-4 and 5-8 partially circumvent the multifocal cisplatin resistance of A2780cisR cells, and 1-4 also overcome resistance from reduced uptake of 41McisR cells. DNA interaction regioselectivity of 1-4 and 5-8 is not substantially modified with respect to transplatin and cisplatin. However, both imino ethers and cyclic ligands slow down the DNA interstrand cross-link reaction, ( E)-HN=C(OMe)Me and N = C(Me)OCH2CH2 decreasing also its extent. Therefore, DNA interaction of 1-4 and 5-8 appears to be characterized by persistent monoadducts (1-4), and by monoadducts and/or intrastrand cross-links structurally different from those of cisplatin (5-8). This study demonstrates that ligand configuration modulates the activity of both trans and cis compounds, and supports the development of platinum drugs based on their coordination chemistry to combat cisplatin resistance.

Cytotoxic trans-oriented platinum complexes only form adducts with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides.

The reactions of the anticancer complex trans-[PtCl(2)[(E)-HN==C(OMe)Me](2)] (trans-EE) with both single-stranded and double-stranded deoxyribonucleotides have been studied by HPLC and 2D [(1)H,(15)N] HMQC NMR spectroscopy and compared with those of cis-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] (cis-DDP). Reactions of trans-EE with the single-stranded oligonucleotides d(CCTCGCTCTC) and d(CCTGGTCC) proceed rapidly through solvolysis of the starting substrate and subsequent formation of G-N7/monochloro trans-EE adducts. The rate of reaction is comparable to that of formation of an adduct from trans-EE and the dinuclotide d(ApG). Quite unexpectedly, the double-helical duplexes, d(TATGGTACCATA)(2) and d(TATGGCCATA)(2), with no terminal G residues, are practically inert towards trans-EE, and only minor species (< 5 % as estimated from HPLC traces) appear during 24 h reaction time. However, the duplexes d[(CCTCGCTCTC). (GAGAGCGAGG)] and d(GATAGGCCTATC)(2), which contain both terminal and central G residues, undergo platination only at the terminal, solvent-exposed, G residues, thereby confirming that the interior of the duplex is not accessible to trans-EE due to steric hindrance. In contrast, cis-DDP was found to bind exclusively to the central GG pair in d(GATAGGCCTATC)(2).

X-ray structures of the first platinum complexes with Z configuration iminoether ligands: trans-dichlorobis(1-imino-1-methoxy-2,2'-dimethylpropane)platinum(II) and trans-tetrachlorobis(1-imino-1-methoxy-2,2'-dimethylpropane)platinum(IV).

Platinum complexes with Z configuration iminoether ligands (trans-[PtCl(2)(HN=C(OMe)Bu(t))(2)], 1, and trans-[PtCl(4)(HN=C(OMe)Bu(t))(2)], 2) have been structurally characterized for the first time. The nearly planar Pt-N-C-O-C chain, all atoms being in gauche conformation, brings the terminal Pt and C atoms very close to one another. The steric clash is released by considerably increasing the Pt-N-C, N-C-O, and C-O-C bond angles (133, 124, and 121 degrees for 1, respectively; 147, 129, and 127 degrees for 2, respectively), which are well above the expected values (120 degrees for Pt-N-C and N-C-O; less than 120 degrees for C-O-C owing to the repulsive effect exerted by the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom). In the platinum(II) case the smaller increase of bond angles is accompanied by a greater value of the Pt-N-C-O torsion angle (27.3 and 15.6 degrees for 1 and 2, respectively). The stabilization of the Z configuration, notwithstanding the steric clashes described above, has been achieved by a careful choice of the R substituent in the iminoether moiety (a bulky tert-butyl group). The reactions of the platinum(IV) species (2) in basic and acidic conditions and with triphenylphosphine have been investigated. Bases and acids both interact with the coordinated ligand in such a way to weaken the coordinative bond and promote the release of the iminoether ligands. The phosphine promotes a ready and complete reduction of the platinum(IV) complex to the corresponding platinum(II) species (1). Compound 1 reacts with a stoichiometric amount of phosphine (1:1 molar ratio) to form cis-[PtCl(2)(PPh(3))(Z-HN=C(OMe)Bu(t))] and with excess phosphine to form [PtCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] and free iminoether. The latter two reactions leading to formation of a mixed phosphine/iminoether platinum species and to free iminoether, which can be used as a synthon for further organic transformations, can be of synthetic utility.