Coencapsulation of Arsenic- and Platinum-based Drugs for Targeted Cancer Treatment

Iodide Analogs of Arsenoplatins-Potential Drug Candidates for Triple Negative Breast Cancers

Patients with triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs)—highly aggressive tumors that do not express estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors—have limited treatment options. Fewer than 30% of women with metastatic TNBC survive five years after their diagnosis, with a mortality rate within three months after a recurrence of 75%. Although TNBCs show a higher response to platinum therapy compared to other breast cancers, drug resistance remains a major obstacle; thus, platinum drugs with novel mechanisms are urgently needed. Arsenoplatins (APs) represent a novel class of anticancer agents designed to contain the pharmacophores of the two FDA approved drugs cisplatin and arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) as one molecular entity. Here, we present the syntheses, crystal structures, DFT calculations, and antiproliferative activity of iodide analogs of AP-1 and AP-2, i.e., AP-5 and AP-4, respectively. Antiproliferative studies in TNBC cell lines reveal that all AP family members are more potent than cisplatin and As₂O₃ alone. DFT calculations demonstrate there is a low energy barrier for hydrolysis of the platinum-halide bonds in arsenoplatins, possibly contributing to their higher cytotoxicities compared to cisplatin.

The platination mechanism of RNase A by arsenoplatin: insight from the theoretical study

A detailed metalation process of the bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) by a novel multitarget anti-cancer agent arsenoplatin-1, ([Pt(μ-NHC(CH₃)O)₂ClAs(OH)₂]), performed at DFT level and using different models size is provided.

Molecular Engineering-Based Aptamer-Drug Conjugates with Accurate Tunability of Drug Ratios for Drug Combination Targeted Cancer Therapy

Polytherapy (or drug combination cancer therapy (DCCT)), targeting multiple mechanisms associated with tumor proliferation, can efficiently maximize therapeutic efficacy, decrease drug dosage, and reduce drug resistance. However, most DCCT strategies cannot coordinate the specific delivery of a drug combination in an accurately tuned ratio into cancer cells. To address these limitations, the present work reports the engineering of circular bivalent aptamer-drug conjugates (cb-ApDCs). The cb-ApDCs exhibit high stability, specific recognition, excellent cellular uptake, and esterase-triggered release. Furthermore, the drug ratios in cb-ApDCs can be tuned for an enhanced synergistic effect without the need for complex chemistry. Therefore, cb-ApDCs provide a promising platform for the development of DCCT strategies for different drug combinations and ratios.

Smart Human-Serum-Albumin-As2 O3 Nanodrug with Self-Amplified Folate Receptor-Targeting Ability for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment

Arsenic trioxide (ATO, As2 O3 ) is currently used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, expanding its use to include high-dose treatment of other cancers is severely hampered by serious side effects on healthy organs. To address these limitations, we loaded ATO onto folate (FA)-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) pretreated with glutathione (GSH) based on the low pH- and GSH-sensitive arsenic-sulfur bond, and we termed the resulting smart nanodrug as FA-HSA-ATO. FA-HSA-ATO could specifically recognize folate receptor-β-positive (FRβ+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, resulting in more intracellular accumulation of ATO. Furthermore, the nanodrug could upregulate FRβ expression in CML cancer cells and xenograft tumor model, facilitating even more recruitment and uptake of FRβ-targeting drugs. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that the nanodrug significantly alleviates side effects and improves therapeutic efficacy of ATO on CML and xenograft tumor model.

Triphenylarsonium-functionalised gold nanoparticles: potential nanocarriers for intracellular therapeutics

Gold nanoparticles functionalised with triphenylarsonium alkylthiolate ligands have been synthesised; both arsonium ligands show comparatively low cytotoxicity in cells.

Anticancer activity of small-molecule and nanoparticulate arsenic(III) complexes

Starting in ancient China and Greece, arsenic-containing compounds have been used in the treatment of disease for over 3000 years. They were used for a variety of diseases in the 20th century, including parasitic and sexually transmitted illnesses. A resurgence of interest in the therapeutic application of arsenicals has been driven by the discovery that low doses of a 1% aqueous solution of arsenic trioxide (i.e., arsenous acid) lead to complete remission of certain types of leukemia. Since Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia in 2000, it has become a front-line therapy in this indication. There are currently over 100 active clinical trials involving inorganic arsenic or organoarsenic compounds registered with the FDA for the treatment of cancers. New generations of inorganic and organometallic arsenic compounds with enhanced activity or targeted cytotoxicity are being developed to overcome some of the shortcomings of arsenic therapeutics, namely, short plasma half-lives and a narrow therapeutic window.

Robust structure and reactivity of aqueous arsenous acid-platinum(II) anticancer complexes

The first molecular adducts of platinum and arsenic based anticancer drugs - arsenoplatins - show unanticipated structure, substitution chemistry, and cellular cytotoxicity. The PtII-AsIII bonds in these complexes are stable in aqueous solution and strongly influence the lability of the trans ligand.

A polymer-(tandem drugs) conjugate for enhanced cancer treatment

A novel strategy for combination chemotherapy (platinum and demethylcantharidin) via a polymer-(tandem drugs) conjugate for enhanced cancer treatment is demonstrated. Cisplatin can be released inside cell by reduction to attack DNA, while DMC will be hydrolyzed subsequently to block DNA-damage-induced defense mechanisms by serine/threonine phosphatase PP2A inhibition. Synergistic effect of the polymer-(tandem drugs) conjugate causes complete suppression of H22 liver tumor xenografts without recurrence.