New Synthetic Route for Cobalt(III) Dissymmetric Bisalkynyl Complexes Based on Cobalt(III)(cyclam)(C 2 NAP Mes )

Cobalt(III) prodrug-based nanomedicine for inducing immunogenic cell death and enhancing chemo-immunotherapy

Despite impressive advances in immune checkpoint blockade therapy, its efficacy as a standalone treatment remains limited. The influence of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor immunotherapy has progressively come to light in recent years, positioning them as promising contenders in the realm of combination therapy options for tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we present the rational design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of the first example of a Co(III) prodrug (Co2) capable of eliciting a localized cytotoxic effect while simultaneously inducing a systemic immune response via type II immunogenic cell death (ICD). To enhance its pharmacological properties, a glutathione-sensitive polymer was synthesized, and Co2 was encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles (NP-Co2) to improve efficacy. Furthermore, NP-Co2 activates the GRP78/p-PERK/p-eIF2α/CHOP pathway, thereby inducing ICD in cancer cells. This facilitates the transformation of "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" and augments the effectiveness of the PD-1 monoclonal antibody (αPD-1). In essence, this nanomedicine, utilizing Co(III) prodrugs to induce ICD, provides a promising strategy to enhance chemotherapy and αPD-1 antibody-mediated cancer immunotherapy.

A unique series of chromium(iii) mono-alkynyl complexes supported by tetraazamacrocycles

Described herein is the synthesis and characterization of macrocyclic Cr^III mono-alkynyl complexes. By using the meso-form of the tetraazamacrocycle HMC (HMC = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), trans-[Cr(HMC)(C₂Ph)Cl]OTf (1a), trans-[Cr(HMC)(C₂Np)Cl]OTf (2a), trans-[Cr(HMC)(C₂C₆H₄^tBu)Cl]OTf (3a), and trans-[Cr(HMC)(C₂(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃))Cl]OTf (4a) complexes have been realized. These complexes were synthesized in high yield through the reaction of trans-[Cr(meso-HMC)(C₂Ar)₂]OTf (1b-4b) with stoichiometric amounts of methanolic HCl. Single crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the trans-stereochemistry and pseudo-octahedral geometry is retained in the desired mono-alkynyl complexes. The absorption spectra of complexes 1a-4a display d-d bands with distinct vibronic progressions that are slightly red shifted from trans-[Cr(HMC)(C₂Ar)₂]⁺ with approximately halved molar extinction coefficients. Time-delayed measurements of the emission spectra for complexes 1a-4a at 77 K revealed phosphorescence with lifetimes ranging between 343 μs (4a) and 397 μs (1a). The phosphorescence spectra of 1a-4a also exhibit more structuring than the bis-alkynyl complexes due to a strengthened vibronic coupling between the Cr^III metal center and alkynyl ligands.