Stable and Well-Organized Near-Infrared Platinum(II)-Acetylide-Based Metallacycles-Mediated Cancer Phototherapy.

The development of metallacycles with high stability and intense near-infrared (NIR) absorption is important for biomedical applications. However, very few molecular design strategies have been developed on such metallacycles. Herein, we report a new series of stable and well-defined NIR-absorbing metallacycles (M1-M3) through the Pt-acetylide coordination with highly efficient photoconversion performance for cancer phototherapy. The metallacycles showed high stability and strong NIR absorption, and the absorption peaks were red shifted approximately 30 nm in comparison with their corresponding precursors. The introduction of Pt into metallacycles promotes significant photoconversions, including the singlet-to-triplet and nonradiative transitions. Moreover, the fabricated M3 nanoparticles (M3-NPs) showed favorable photoconversions into both thermal effect and singlet oxygen generation upon NIR irradiation, achieving tumor ablation. This novel design of Pt-acetylide metallacycles possesses not only complex topological architectures but also a valuable paradigm for precise cancer phototherapy, which is important for grafting stimuli-responsive functional groups into metallacycles for the development of high-performance biomedical supramolecular materials.

Effects of cytotoxic cis- and trans-diammine monochlorido platinum(II) complexes on selenium-dependent redox enzymes and DNA.

Here we present the preparation of 14 pairs of cis- and trans-diammine monochlorido platinum(II) complexes, coordinated to heterocycles (i.e., imidazole, 2-methylimidazole and pyrazole) and linked to various acylhydrazones, which were designed as potential inhibitors of the selenium-dependent enzymes glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR-1). However, no inhibition of bovine GPx-1 and only weak inhibition of murine TrxR-1 was observed in in vitro assays. Nonetheless, the cis configured diammine monochlorido Pt(II) complexes exhibited cytotoxic and apoptotic properties on various human cancer cell lines, whereas the trans configured complexes generally showed weaker potency with a few exceptions. On the other hand, the trans complexes were generally more likely to lack cross-resistance to cisplatin than the cis analogues. Platinum was found bound to the nuclear DNA of cancer cells treated with representative Pt complexes, suggesting that DNA might be a possible target. Thus, detailed in vitro binding experiments with DNA were conducted. Interactions of the compounds with calf thymus DNA were investigated, including Pt binding kinetics, circular dichroism (CD) spectral changes, changes in DNA melting temperatures, unwinding of supercoiled plasmids and ethidium bromide displacement in DNA. The CD results indicate that the most active cis configured pyrazole-derived complex causes unique structural changes in the DNA compared to the other complexes as well as to those caused by cisplatin, suggesting a denaturation of the DNA structure. This may be important for the antiproliferative activity of this compound in the cancer cells.

Design, syntheses, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of novel heterobinuclear oxindolimine copper(II)-platinum(II) complexes.

Herein, the design and syntheses of two new mononuclear oxindolimine-copper(II) (1 and 2) and corresponding heterobinuclear oxindolimine Cu(II)Pt(II) complexes (3 and 4), are described. All the isolated complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR, EPR), in addition to elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements showed that in all cases, one-electron quasi-reversible waves were observed, and ascribed to the formation of corresponding copper(I) complexes. Additionally, waves related to oxindolimine ligand reduction was verified, and confirmed using analogous oxindolimine-Zn(II) complexes. The Pt(IV/II) reduction, and corresponding oxidation, for complexes 3 and 4 occurred at very close values to those observed for cisplatin. By complementary fluorescence studies, it was shown that glutathione (GSH) cannot reduce any of these complexes, under the experimental conditions (room temperature, phosphate buffer 50mM, pH7.4), using an excess of 20-fold [GSH]. All these complexes showed characteristic EPR spectral profile, with parameters values gǁ>g⊥ suggesting an axially distorted environment around the copper(II) center. Interactions with calf thymus-DNA, monitored by circular dichroism (CD), indicated different effects modulated by the ligands. Finally, the cytotoxicity of each complex was tested toward different tumor cells, in comparison to cisplatin, and low values of IC50 in the range 0.6 to 4.0µM were obtained, after 24 or 48h incubation at 37°C. The obtained results indicate that such complexes can be promising alternative antitumor agents.

Antitumor effect of arabinogalactan and platinum complex.

The article presents the results of investigation of antitumor properties of platinum-arabinogalactan complex. We showed the ability of the complex to inhibit the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. It is found that the distribution of the platinum-arabinogalactan complex is not specific only for tumor cells in mice. The complex was found in all tissues and organs examined (ascites cells, embryonic cells, kidney, and liver). The mechanism of action of the arabinogalactan-platinum complex may be similar to cisplatin as the complex is able to accumulate in tumor cells.

Synthesis of a monofunctional platinum compound and its activity alone and in combination with phytochemicals in ovarian tumor models.

Currently used platinum drugs fail to provide long-term cure for ovarian cancer mainly because of acquired drug resistance. In this study, a new monofunctional planaramineplatinum(II) complex, namely tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)monochloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH3), was synthesised and investigated for its activity against human ovarian A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780 (A2780(cisR)) and ZD0473-resistant A2780 (A2780(ZD0473R)) cancer cell lines, alone and in combination with the phytochemicals curcumin, genistein and resveratrol. Cellular levels of glutathione in A2780 and A2780(cisR) cell lines before and after treatment with LH3 and its combinations with genistein and curcumin were also determined. Interaction of the compounds with salmon sperm DNA, pBR322 plasmid DNA and damage to DNA in A2780 and A2780(cisR) cells due to interaction with LH3-alone and in combination with phytochemicals were also investigated. LH3 was found to be much more active than cisplatin against the resistant tumor models and greatest synergism in activity was observed when combinations of LH3 with genistein and curcumin were administered as a bolus. For combinations of LH3 with the phytochemicals, platinum accumulation and the level of Pt-DNA binding were found to be greater in the resistant A2780(cisR) cell line than in the parental A2780 cell line. Greater activity of LH3 than cisplatin against the resistant ovarian cell lines indicates that it may have the potential for development as a novel anticancer drug and that its combination with phytochemicals can serve to further enhance drug efficacy.

Studies on the cytotoxic, apoptotic and antitumoral effects of Au(III) and Pt(II) complexes of 1, 10-phenanthroline on V79 379A and A549 cell lines.

In the present study, Au(III) and Pt(II) complexes of 1, 10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and used as the test compounds. The structure elucidation of the synthesized compounds was performed by IR, (1)H-NMR and MASS spectroscopic data and the results of elemental analyses. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of test compounds were elucidated on V79 379A (Chinese hamster lung fibroblast like) and A549 (human lung carcinoma epithelial like) cell lines. Cytotoxicity was measured with MTT assay and antitumoral effect was determined by colony forming ability methods. In addition, nuclear fragmentation and activation of apoptotic enzyme (caspase-3) and DAPI staining were used to detect the apoptotic effect of the compounds. All the test compounds induced time and concentration-dependent cytotoxic and antitumoral effects. Significant increases in the levels of apoptosis were observed with increasing exposure concentration.

Structure, solution chemistry, antiproliferative actions and protein binding properties of non-conventional platinum(II) compounds with sulfur and phosphorus donors.

Twelve Pt(II) complexes with cis-PtP(2)S(2) pharmacophores (where P(2) refers to two monodentate or one bidentate phosphane ligand and S(2) is a dithiolato ligand) were prepared, characterized and evaluated as potential antiproliferative agents. The various compounds were first studied from the structural point of view; afterward, their solubility properties as well as their solution behaviour were analyzed in detail. Antiproliferative properties were specifically evaluated against A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells, either resistant or sensitive to cisplatin. For comparison purposes similar studies were carried out on four parent cis-dichloro bisphosphane Pt(II)complexes. On the whole, the cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds displayed significant antiproliferative properties while the cis-PtP(2)Cl(2) (cis-dichloro bisphosphane Pt(II)) compounds revealed quite poor biological performances. To gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms of these bisphosphane Pt(II) compounds, the reactions of selected complexes against the model protein cytochrome c were investigated by ESI-MS and their adduct formation explored. A relevant reactivity with cyt c was obtained only for cis-PtP(2)Cl(2) compounds, whereas cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds turned out to be nearly unreactive. The obtained results are interpreted and discussed in the frame of the current knowledge of anticancer platinum compounds and their structure-activity-relationships. The observation of appreciable antiproliferative effects for the relatively inert cis-PtP(2)S(2) compounds strongly suggests that these compounds will undergo specific activation within the cellular environment.

Chemistry, antiproliferative activity and low nephrotoxicity of 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4N-thiosemicarbazone) ligands and their platinum(II) complexes.

The preparation and characterization of 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4,4-dimethylthiosemicarbazone) ligand, H(3)L(1), and its dinuclear platinum complex [Pt(mu-HL(1))](2) is described. The crystal and molecular structure of the platinum complex has been resolved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligands coordinate, in an asymmetric dideprotonate form, to the platinum ions in a tridentate fashion (NNS) and S-bridging bonding modes. Thus the molecular units of the platinum complexes are stacked as dimers. The new compounds synthesized together with the analogous monosubstituted ligand 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (H(5)L(2)) and its dinuclear platinum(ii) complex [Pt(mu-H(3)L(2))](2) have been evaluated for antiproliferative activity in vitro against NCI-H460, A2780 and A2780cisR human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity data suggest that these compounds may be endowed with important antitumor properties, especially H(3)L(1) and [Pt(mu-H(3)L(2))](2) since they not only circumvent cisplatin resistance in A2780cisR cells but also exhibit high antiproliferative activity in human non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells. Subsequent nephrotoxic study, in LLC-PK1 cells, show that the four compounds investigated exhibit very low nephrotoxicity with respect to cisplatin.

Improved synthesis of unique estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes showing potent cytocidal activity and affinity for the estrogen receptor alpha and beta.

We have recently reported the synthesis of a platinum(II) complex, made of estradiol, the female sex hormone, and a cisplatin analog, an anticancer drug, linked together by an eleven carbon atoms chain. The novel estradiol-Pt(II) hybrid molecule was synthesized in nine chemical steps with 10% overall yield. This new compound has been tested in vitro on estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) and -independent (MDA-MD-231) (ER(+) and ER(-)) cell lines. Interestingly, the biological activity was quite significant, more potent than that of cisplatin, the compound currently used in chemotherapy. The estrogen receptor binding affinity (ERBA) of this compound was very similar to that of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) on both estrogen receptors (ERs), alpha and beta. In order to further study this type of molecule, we have decided to synthesize several analogs with the same estrogenic scaffold but with various chain lengths separating the estradiol from the toxic part of the molecule. This was planned in order to study the effect of the length of the linking chain on the biological activity of the hybrids. Four E(2)-Pt(II) hybrid molecules having 6-14 carbon atoms linking chain have been synthesized using a new synthetic methodology. They are synthesized in only eight chemical steps with 21% overall yield. The 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes have been tested for their receptor binding affinity as well as for their cytocidal activity on several breast cancer cell lines. The synthesis and biological results are reported herein.

Influence of the terminal ligands on the redox properties of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core in [Pt2(Ph2X(CH2)2XPh2)2(mu-S)2] (X = P or As) complexes and on their reactivity towards metal centres, protic acids and organic electrophiles.

In order to explore possible ways for modulating the unusually rich chemistry shown by complexes of formula [L2Pt(mu-S)2PtL2] we have studied the influence of the nature of the terminal ligand L on the chemical properties of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core. The systematic study we now report allows comparison of the behaviour of [Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2](dpae = Ph2As(CH2)2AsPh2) (1) with the already reported analogue [Pt2(dppe)2(mu-S)2](dppe = Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2). Complex 1 as well as the corresponding multimetallic derivatives [Pt(dpae){Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2}](BPh4)2 2, [M{Pt2(dpae)2(mu-S)2}2]X2 (M = Cu(II), X = BF4 3; M = Zn(II), X = BPh4 4; M = Cd(II), X = ClO4 5; M = Hg(II), X = Cl 6 or X2 = Cl(1.5)[HCl2](0.5) 6') have been characterized in the solid phase and in solution. Comparison of structural parameters of 1 and 3-6' with those of the corresponding phosphine analogues, together with the results of the electrochemical study for 1, allow us to conclude that replacement of dppe by dpae causes a decrease in basicity of the {Pt2(mu-S)2} core. The study of the reactivity of 1 towards CH2Cl2 and protic acids has led to the structural characterization of [Pt(dpae)(S2CH2)] 9 and [PtCl2(dpae)] 10. Moreover, comparison with the reactivity of [Pt2(dppe)2(mu-S)2] indicates that the stability of the intermediate species as well as the nature of the final products in both multistep reactions are sensitive to the nature of the terminal ligand.

Protein phosphatase 2A inhibition and circumvention of cisplatin cross-resistance by novel TCM-platinum anticancer agents containing demethylcantharidin.

Novel TCM-platinum compounds [Pt(C(8)H(8)O(5))(NH(2)R)(2)] 1-5, derived from integrating demethylcantharidin, a modified component from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a platinum moiety, possess anticancer and protein phosphatase 2A inhibition properties. The compounds are able to circumvent cisplatin resistance by apparently targeting the DNA repair mechanism. Novel isosteric analogues [Pt(C(9)H(10)O(4))(NH(2)R)(2)] A and B, devoid of PP2A-inhibitory activity, were found to suffer from an enhanced DNA repair and were cross-resistant to cisplatin. The results advocate a well-defined structure-activity requirement associating the PP2A-inhibiting demethylcantharidin with the circumvention of cisplatin cross-resistance demonstrated by TCM-Pt compounds 1-5.

Synthesis, structure, and electronic properties of monomeric and dimeric trispyrazolylborate platinum(II) hydride complexes.

Tp'PtMe(H)2 (2) [Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate] has been prepared from Tp'PtMe(CO) (1) via reaction with water in a basic acetone/water mixture. Protonation of 2 at one of the pyrazole nitrogen atoms induces methane elimination, and the resulting platinum(II) monohydride solvent intermediate (3) can be trapped by added ligand. Two chiral cationic platinum(II) monohydride complexes of the type [kappa(2)-((Hpz)BHpz2)Pt(H)(L)][BAr'4] [L = MeCN (4), CH2=CH2 (5); pz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl, BAr'4 = tetrakis(3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate] have been isolated. If 2 is protonated in the absence of trapping ligand, a deep red hydride-bridged dinuclear complex, [kappa(2)-((Hpz)BHpz2)Pt(mu-H)]2[BAr'4]2 (6), forms. DFT calculations supplement intuitive expectations regarding 3-center-2-electron bridging orbital descriptions for the electronic structure of this complex. X-ray structure determinations for the monomeric acetonitrile adduct 4 and the dicationic dimer 6 are reported.

Toxicity and antitumor activity of cis-bis-carboxylato(trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) platinum(II) complexes entrapped in liposomes.

A new series of highly lipid-soluble cis-bis-carboxylato(trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis and by various spectroscopic techniques [infrared (IR), 195pt nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)]. cis-bis-Neopentanoato(trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II ) (NPDP), cis-bis-neodecanoato(trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-platinum(II ) (NDDP), and cis-bis-n-decanoato(trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-platinum(II) (DEDP) complexes were entrapped in multilamellar vesicles composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) at a 7:3 molar ratio and tested for toxicity and antitumor activity. The entrapment efficiency of the liposomal platinum (L-Pt) complexes (L-NPDP, L-NDDP, L-DEDP) was greater than 95%, and the stability in 0.9% NaCl solution at 4 degrees C was greater than 95% at day 14 in each case. The LD50 values of L-NPDP, L-NDDP, and L-DEDP when injected i.v. were 30, 54, and 150 mg/kg, respectively. L-NPDP, L-NDDP, and L-DEDP had no significant nephrotoxicity [as evidenced by a lack of elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels]. The percentages of T/C obtained after a single i.p. injection of the optimal dose of L-NPDP, L-NDDP, and L-DEDP tested against L1210 leukemia were 175%, 187%, and 212%, respectively [160% for cisplatin (CDDP)]. When a multiple i.p. injection schedule was used (on days 1, 5, and 9), L-NPDP, L-NDDP, and L-DEDP were more active than CDDP (percentage of T/C: 312%, 312%, 277%, and 220%, respectively). When injected i.v., only L-NDDP showed significant activity against L1210 leukemia i.v. (percentage of T/C: 186%). L-NDDP and L-DEDP were markedly active against L1210 leukemia resistant to CDDP (percentage of T/C: 200% and 145% vs 112% for CDDP). L-NPDP, L-NDDP, and L-DEDP also had good activity against i.p. B16 melanoma when they were injected i.p. on days 1, 5, and 9 (percentage of T/C: 206%, 225%, and 306%, respectively). L-NDDP and L-DEDP were more effective than CDDP in inhibiting the growth of liver metastases of murine M5076 reticulosarcoma, whereas L-NPDP was not active. The results obtained to date suggest that L-NDDP is the best L-Pt-complex candidate for further developmental studies.

Comparative antitumor studies on platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes containing 1,2-diaminocyclohexane.

The synthesis and characterization of a group of platinum(IV) compounds containing the various isomeric forms of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) are described. Antitumor tests with the new complexes, as well as with other platinum(II) compounds containing the DACH ligand, revealed that trans,cis-PtIV(SS-DACH)(OH)2Cl2, 7, is more active than its mirror image, trans,cis-PtIV(RR-DACH)(OH)2Cl2, 6, against L1210 leukemia implanted in mice. However, activity is dependent on the tumor model, and against B16 melanoma implanted in mice, the activities of the two enantiomers are reversed, with 6 being more active than 7. The results of the tests are discussed in light of the mechanism by which Pt(IV) compounds are believed to express their antitumor effects.

Synthesis, physical properties, and antitumor activity of tetraplatin and related tetrachloroplatinum(IV) stereoisomers of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane.

The synthesis, physical properties, and antitumor activity of the cis-, d,l-trans-, d-trans-, and l-trans- stereoisomers of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetrachloroplatinum(IV) are described. The objective of the study was to produce a platinum complex with activity against cisplatin-resistant tumor cells and with suitable pharmaceutical properties for formulation development. The isomers had the following solubilities in saline: cis-, 2 mg/ml; d,l-trans-, 6.5 mg/ml; and d-trans- and l-trans-, 15-16 mg/ml. The four complexes showed slightly better activity than cisplatin against the ip implanted murine L1210 leukemia. In contrast to cisplatin, all complexes produced significant increases in life span against L1210/cisplatin, a subline of L1210 with acquired resistance to cisplatin. However, the cis- isomer was less active against L1210/cisplatin. The d,l-trans- isomer (tetraplatin) was selected for further studies based on greater ease for large-scale synthesis. It showed superior activity to cisplatin against P388/cisplatin and like cisplatin showed significant and reproducible activity against the ip implanted B16 melanoma, ip implanted M5076 sarcoma, ip implanted P388 leukemia, and MX-1 human breast xenograft implanted under the renal capsule. Purity and stability (greater than 24 hours in saline) were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography and found to be suitable for development of a parenteral dosage form. Preliminary studies in a rat model (to be reported elsewhere) showed it to be less nephrotoxic than cisplatin on a molar basis and worthy of further study.

Dichloro[1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]platinum(II) complexes: an approach to develop compounds with a specific effect on the hormone-dependent mammary carcinoma.

Stereoisomeric dichloro [1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]platinum(II) complexes (meso-3a, (+/-)-3b, (+)-3c, (-)-3d) and their N,N'-dibutyl derivatives (meso-4a, (+/-)-4b, (+)-4c, (-)-4d) were synthesized and tested on antitumor activity. The most active compound, 3d, shows a modest inhibition of the [3H]estradiol receptor interaction and causes a marked effect on the growth of the hormone-dependent human MCF 7 breast cancer cell line. It is also active on the hormone-independent human MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line, on the ADJ/PC6 plasmacytoma of the Balb/C mouse, and on the L 5222 leukemia of the BD IX rat. Apparently the inhibition of the MCF 7 cell line is not mediated by the estrogen receptor system. Histopathological studies on 3d revealed very low toxicity.