Anti-Cancer and Radio-Sensitizing Properties of New Bimetallic (N-Heterocyclic Carbene)-Amine-Pt(II) Complexes.

Bioactive NHC-transition metal complexes have shown promise as anti-cancer agents, but their potential use as radiosensitizers has been neglected so far. We disclose here a new series of bimetallic platinum(II) complexes displaying NHC-type bridging ligands, (bis-NHC)[trans-Pt(RNH2)I2]2, that have been synthesized via a simple, two-step procedure. They display cytotoxicity in the micromolar range on cancerous cell lines, accumulate in cells, and bind to genomic DNA, by inducing DNA damages. Notably, these bimetallic complexes demonstrate significant radiosensitizing effects on both ovarian cells A2780 and nonsmall lung carcinoma cells H1299. Further investigations revealed that bimetallic species make irradiation-induced DNA damages more persistent by inhibiting repair mechanisms. Indeed, a higher and persistent accumulation of both γ-H2AX and 53BP1 foci post-irradiation was detected, in the presence of the NHC-Pt complexes. Overall, we provide the first in vitro evidence for the radiosensitizing properties of NHC-platinum complexes, which suggests their potential use in combined chemo-radio therapy protocols.

Inhibition of p53-Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) Interactions with 3,3'-Spirocyclopentene Oxindole Derivatives.

3,3'-Spirocyclopentene oxindoles structurally related to Wang's spiropyrrolidine oxindoles have been highlighted as a new class of antiproliferative agents against cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 status (IC50 up to 0.96 µM on SJSA-1 and 2.9 µM in HCT116 p53-wt). Inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interactions has been demonstrated through in vitro HTRF assays (IC50 up to 3.1 nM), while Western blot analysis showed activation of p53 selectively in HCT116 cancer cell lines with wild-type p53.

Linking of Antitumor trans NHC-Pt(II) Complexes to G-Quadruplex DNA Ligand for Telomeric Targeting.

G-quadruplex structures (G4) are promising anticancerous targets. A great number of small molecules targeting these structures have already been identified through biophysical methods. In cellulo, some of them are able to target either telomeric DNA and/or some sequences involved in oncogene promotors, both resulting in cancer cell death. However, only a few of them are able to bind to these structures G4 irreversibly. Here we combine within the same molecule the G4-binding agent PDC (pyridodicarboxamide) with a N-heterocyclic carbene-platinum complex NHC-Pt already identified for its antitumor properties. The resulting conjugate platinum complex NHC-Pt-PDC stabilizes strongly G-quadruplex structures in vitro, with affinity slightly affected as compared to PDC. In addition, we show that the new conjugate binds preferentially and irreversibly the quadruplex form of the human telomeric sequence with a profile in a way different from that of NHC-Pt thereby indicating that the platination reaction is oriented by stacking of the PDC moiety onto the G4-structure. In cellulo, NHC-Pt-PDC induces a significant loss of TRF2 from telomeres that is considerably more important than the effect of its two components alone, PDC and NHC-Pt, respectively.

Antitumor trans-N-heterocyclic carbene-amine-Pt(II) complexes: synthesis of dinuclear species and exploratory investigations of DNA binding and cytotoxicity mechanisms.

A series of bimetallic [(NHC)PtX2]2(diamine) complexes have been prepared as a new chemotype for potential anticancer agents. These complexes display an uncommon set of structural features as far as they combine two bifunctional, trans-configured platinum centers. They display cytotoxic activities in the micromolar range on many cancerous cell lines and do not cross-react with cisplatin in A2780/DDP cell lines. They bind slowly to double-stranded DNAs, giving monoadducts as the major products. Pathways for cellular toxicity have been investigated for both mono- and bimetallic trans-(NHC)PtX2(amine) complexes. It has been highlighted that, unlike cisplatin, these complexes do not induce cell cycle arrest. They trigger apoptosis in A2780 cells by a pathway involving translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor and caspase 12 to the nucleus. Moreover, bimetallic complexes may induce necrosis.

Phosphine-catalyzed synthesis of 3,3-spirocyclopenteneoxindoles from γ-substituted allenoates: systematic studies and targeted applications.

The phosphine-promoted [3 + 2] cyclizations between γ-substituted allenoates and arylideneoxindoles have been applied to the stereoselective synthesis of spiro(cyclopentene)oxindoles with trisubstituted cyclopentene units. It has been demonstrated that PPh(3) operates a very efficient control of the relative stereochemistry of the three stereogenic centers of the final spiranic products. Focused experiments have been carried out then so as to access carbocyclic analogues of an important series of anticancer agents inhibiting MDM2-p53 interactions.

N-heterocyclic carbene-amine Pt(II) complexes, a new chemical space for the development of platinum-based anticancer drugs.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) platinum complexes have been highlighted as a promising and original platform for building new cytotoxic drugs of the cisplatin series. Mixed NHC-amine Pt(II) complexes have been prepared via a facile and modular two step sequence leading to trans-configured square planar species. They have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction studies. Their efficiency against both cisplatin sensitive (CEM and H460) and resistant (A2780/DDP, CH1/DDP, and SK-OV-3) cell lines has been demonstrated by in vitro experiments.

Asymmetric synthesis of an axially chiral antimitotic biaryl via an atropo-enantioselective Suzuki cross-coupling.

A catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the axially chiral bridged biaryl (-)-2, a structural analogue of natural (-)-rhazinilam possessing original antimitotic properties, is described. The key step is an intermolecular asymmetric Suzuki coupling, furnishing the nonbridged biaryl (-)-6, precursor of (-)-2, with up to 40% ee using binaphthyl ligand 7a. Various known or new binaphthyl and ferrocenyl phosphines as well as phosphetanes were screened as ligands in this reaction, the conditions of which were optimized. The comparison with another Suzuki coupling system showed that 7a is the most versatile ligand described to date for this type of transformation. This work gives the first application of the asymmetric Suzuki coupling to a biologically relevant target.