Cancer-Targeting Functionalization of Selenium-Containing Ruthenium Conjugate with Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Property to Enhance Theranostic Effects.

A mutifunctional ruthenium-based conjugate Ru-BSe was designed and synthesized. The Ru complex with favorable bioimaging function was covalently linked with a cancer-targeted molecule that could be effectively internalized by the tumor to realize enhanced theranostic effects. The pH-response of the Ru conjugate in tumor acidic microenvironment causes ligand substitution and release of therapeutic complex. This activated complex remains inert to the reducing biomolecule-glutathione and terminally locates in mitochondria, in which it triggers oxidative stress, and activates intrinsic apoptosis. Real-time monitoring reveals that this Ru conjugate could selectively accumulate in tumor tissue in vivo, which significantly suppresses tumor progression and alleviate the damage to normal organs, realizing the precise cancer theranosis.

Novel ruthenium - gamma-linolenic acid complex inhibits C6 rat glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in the orthotopic C6 model in vivo after osmotic pump infusion.

AIM: Gliomas are primary brain tumours. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) exerts anti-proliferative effects. Several ruthenium-containing complexes have antiproliferative effects and can be used as adjuvant therapies in cisplatin-resistant cancer. The present study reports on the anti-proliferative properties and effects on tumour morphology of a novel diruthenium-GLA complex (Ru2GLA) and its comparison with GLA in the C6 rat glioma model both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed on C6 glioma rat cells, and in an orthotopic model. RESULTS: Ru2GLA (100 µM) appears to be an inhibitor of C6 rat glioma cell proliferation. The nuclear area of Ru2GLA-treated cells was 2.18-times larger than that of control cells, suggesting DNA replication occurred but mitosis was blocked in the G2-M phase. Ru2GLA (2 mM) inhibited C6 cell proliferation in vivo and the changes in tumor morphology confirm both cellular uptake and collagen fibre-binding in the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: Ru2GLA appears to be a low-toxicity drug and a potential candidate for anti-proliferative therapy of glioma.