Biological activity of enantiomeric complexes [PtCl(2)L (2)] (L (2) is aromatic bisphosphanes and aromatic diamines)

The inhibitory effects of platinum(II) complexes on amyloid aggregation: a theoretical and experimental approach

Platinum (Pt)(II) square planar complexes are well-known anticancer drugs whose Mechanism of Action (MOA) are finely tuned by the polar, hydrophobic and aromatic features of the ligands. In the attempt to translate this tunability to the identification of potential neurodrugs, herein, four Pt(II) complexes were investigated in their ability to modulate the self-aggregation processes of two amyloidogenic models: Sup35p7-13 and NPM1264-277 peptides. In particular, phenanthriplatin revealed the most efficient agent in the modulation of amyloid aggregation: through several biophysical assays, as Thioflavin T (ThT), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy, this complex revealed able to markedly suppress aggregation and to disassemble small soluble aggregates. This effect was due to a direct coordination of phenanthriplatin to the amyloid, with the loss of several ligands and different stoichiometries, by the formation of π-π and π-cation interactions as indicated from molecular dynamic simulations. Presented data support a growing and recent approach concerning the repurposing of metallodrugs as potential novel neurotherapeutics.

Heterobimetallic platinum(ii) complexes with increased cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cell lines

Two series of heterobimetallic compounds were prepared from the starting complex [cis-L2PtCl2] containing an aminophosphine ligand (L = 2,6-iPr2-C6H3-NHPPh2).

[2,2′-Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-κ2 P,P′]dichloridoplatinum(II) acetonitrile trisolvate

The crystal structure of racemic di­chloro­[2,2′-bis­(di­phenyl­phosphino)-1,1′-binaphth­yl]platinum(II) has been determined at 150 K. The asymmetric unit consists of a single mol­ecule of the title compound co-crystallized with three aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules.

The crystal structure (150 K) of the racemic title compound, [PtCl₂(C₄₄H₃₂P₂)]·3CH₃CN, has been determined. The asymmetric unit comprises a single mol­ecule of the title compound co-crystallized with three aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules. Four mol­ecules are observed in the unit cell, with R and S enanti­omers present in a 2:2 ratio. Evidence of intra­molecular π-stacking is observed with no discernable inter­molecular inter­actions.

Synthesis, characterization and biological investigation of platinum(ii) complexes with asparagusic acid derivatives as ligands

After more than 50 years of platinum-based anticancer research only three compounds are in clinical use worldwide. The use of the well-known lead compound of this class of anticancer agents, cisplatin, is limited by its side effects and varying resistance mechanisms. Therefore, we report on platinum(ii) compounds with asparagusic acid derivatives as ligands which show interesting anticancer results on cisplatin resistant cell lines.

In vitro evaluation of the enantiomeric R- and S-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diaminodichlorido-Pt(ii) complexes in human Burkitt lymphoma cells: emphasis on cellular accumulation, cytotoxicity, DNA binding, and ability to induce apoptosis

The aim of this project is to gain insights into the uptake and cellular actions of the enantiomeric R- and S-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diaminodichlorido-Pt(ii) complexes (R- and S-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂]) in the cisplatin-sensitive human Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Gumbus, IC₅₀: 1.3 ± 0.2 μM) and its cisplatin-resistant sub-line (CDDPrGB, IC₅₀: 6.6 ± 1.2 μM). The cellular uptakes of R- and S-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂] are ca. 4-fold higher than cisplatin, and involve a transport mechanism independent of the volume-sensitive, organic anion-channel complex, which facilitates cisplatin accumulation. The cisplatin-resistant CDDPrGB cells are not cross-resistant to either S- or R-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂]. We also find that even though R-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂] has a higher maximal cellular uptake and binds at higher levels to calf-thymus DNA than S-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂], it appears that S-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂] is more cytotoxic for Gumbus (IC₅₀: 0.4 ± 0.1 μM) compared to R-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂] (IC₅₀: 0.7 ± 0.3 μM). The cellular action of R- and S-[Pt(DABN)Cl₂] involves G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and cell death involving the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Facilitating the Cellular Accumulation of Pt-Based Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are Pt-based drugs used in the chemotherapeutic eradication of cancer cells. Although most cancer patient cells initially respond well to the treatment, the clinical effectiveness declines over time as the cancer cells develop resistance to the drugs. The Pt-based drugs are accumulated via membrane-bound transporters, translocated to the nucleus, where they trigger various intracellular cell death programs through DNA interaction. Here we illustrate how resistance to Pt-based drugs, acquired through limitation in the activity/subcellular localization of canonical drug transporters, might be circumvented by the facilitated uptake of Pt-based drug complexes via nanocarriers/endocytosis or lipophilic drugs by diffusion.

How to obtain Pt(iv) complexes suitable for conjugation to nanovectors from the oxidation of [PtCl(terpyridine)]. Dalton Trans 2018;46:10246-10254. [PMID: 28737785 DOI: 10.1039/c7dt01706e]

Oxidation of [Pt^(II)Cl(terpy)]⁺ (terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) has been attempted with several oxidizing agents and under different experimental conditions in order to obtain a Pt(iv) complex suitable for the conjugation to nanovectors to be used in drug delivery targeting for anticancer therapy. The best compromise in terms of yield and purity of the final complex was obtained by microwave-assisted reaction at 70 °C in 50% aqueous H₂O₂ for 2 h. Under these conditions the quantitative formation of [Pt^(IV)Cl(OH)₂(terpy)]⁺ was observed. The subsequent synthetic steps were, (i) functionalization of [Pt^(IV)Cl(OH)₂(terpy)]⁺ in the axial position with succinic anhydride to obtain [Pt^(IV)Cl(OH)(succinato)(terpy)]⁺ and (ii) reaction of the latter with nonporous silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with an external shell containing primary amino groups to obtain a nanovector able to transport the Pt(iv) antitumor prodrug in the form of a conjugate Pt-SNP. Finally, the antiproliferative activity and cell accumulation of [Pt^(II)Cl(terpy)]⁺, [Pt^(IV)Cl(OH)₂(terpy)]⁺, and the Pt-SNP conjugate were measured on three cancer cell lines. Despite highly effective accumulation of Pt-SNP in cells, a modest increase in activity was observed with respect to the molecular species. Further experiments showed that the Pt-SNP conjugate can release [Pt^(II)Cl(terpy)]⁺ upon reduction, but this metabolite may undergo hydrolysis, and the resulting aquo complex could coordinate once again the free amino groups of the SNPs. In the resulting tetraamine form, the Pt(ii) complex conjugated to the SNPs cannot completely perform its antiproliferative activity.

Chiral platinum (II)-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)- formamide oxo-aporphine (FOA) complexes promote tumor cells apoptosis by directly targeting G-quadruplex DNA in vitro and in vivo

Three platinum(II) complexes, 4 (LC-004), 5 (LC-005), and 6 (LC-006), with the chiral FOA ligands R/S-(±)-FOA (1), R-(+)-FOA (2) and S-(–)-FOA (3), respectively, were synthesized and characterized. As potential anti-tumor agents, these complexes show higher cytotoxicity to BEL-7404 cells than the HL-7702 normal cells. They are potential telomerase inhibitors that target c-myc and human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA. Compared to complexes 4 and 5, 6 exhibited higher binding affinities towards telomeric, c-myc G-quadruplex DNA and caspase-3/9, thereby inducing senescence and apoptosis to a greater extent in tumor cells. Moreover, our in vivo studies showed that complex 6 can effectively inhibit tumor growth in the BEL-7404 and BEL-7402 xenograft mouse models and is less toxic than 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. The effective inhibition of tumor growth is attributed to its interactions with 53BP1, TRF1, c-myc, TRF2, and hTERT. Thus, complex 6 can serve as a novel lead compound and a potential drug candidate for anticancer chemotherapy.

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.

Preparation of 4-([2,2':6',2″-terpyridin]-4'-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline Ni(II) and Pt(II) complexes and exploration of their in vitro cytotoxic activities

Two metal complexes of NiLCl2 (1) and [PtLCl]Cl (2) with 4-([2,2':6',2″-terpyridin]-4'-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline (L) were synthesized and characterized. 1 and 2 exhibited selective cytotoxicity to T-24 cells more than L, compared with the normal liver cell line (HL-7702). Various experiments showed that L, 1 and 2 caused T-24 cell cycle arrest at S phase, as shown by the down-regulation of cdc25 A, cyclin A, cyclin B and CDK2 and the up-regulation of p21, p27 and p53. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2, especially complex 2, acted as telomerase inhibitors targeting c-myc G-quadruplex DNA and triggered cell apoptosis. In addition, 1 and 2 also caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, we found that 1 and 2 exerted their cytotoxic activity mainly via inhibiting telomerase by interaction with c-myc quadruplex and disruption of mitochondrial function.

Water-Soluble Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Chiral 4-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-formamide Oxoaporphine (FOA): In Vitro and in Vivo Anticancer Activity by Stabilization of G-Quadruplex DNA, Inhibition of Telomerase Activity, and Induction of Tumor Cell Apoptosis

Three water-soluble ruthenium(II) complexes with chiral 4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-formamide oxoaporphine (FOA) were synthesized and characterized. It was found that these ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited considerable in vitro anticancer activities and that they were the effective stabilizers of telomeric and G-quadruplex-DNA (G4-DNA) in promoter of c-myc, which acted as a telomerase inhibitor targeting G4-DNA and induced cell senescence and apoptosis. Interestingly, the in vitro anticancer activity of 6 (LC-003) was higher than those of 4 (LC-001) and 5 (LC-002), more selective for BEL-7404 cells than for normal HL-7702 cells, and preferred to activate caspases-3/9. The different biological behaviors of the ruthenium complexes could be correlated with the chiral nature of 4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-formamide oxoaporphine. More significantly, 6 exhibited effective inhibitory on tumor growth in BEL-7402 xenograft mouse model and higher in vivo safety than cisplatin. These mechanistic insights indicate that 6 displays low toxicity and can be a novel anticancer drug candidate.

Stabilization of G-quadruplex DNA, inhibition of telomerase activity, and tumor cell apoptosis by organoplatinum(II) complexes with oxoisoaporphine

Two G-quadruplex ligands [Pt(L(a))(DMSO)Cl] (Pt1) and [Pt(L(b))(DMSO)Cl] (Pt2) have been synthesized and fully characterized. The two complexes are more selective for SK-OV-3/DDP tumor cells versus normal cells (HL-7702). It was found that both Pt1 and Pt2 could be a telomerase inhibitor targeting G-quadruplex DNA. This is the first report demonstrating that telomeric, c-myc, and bcl-2 G-quadruplexes and caspase-3/9 preferred to bind with Pt2 rather than Pt1, which also can induce senescence and apoptosis. The different biological behavior of Pt1 and Pt2 may correlate with the presence of a 6-hydroxyl group in L(b). Importantly, Pt1 and Pt2 exhibited higher safety in vivo and more effective inhibitory effects on tumor growth in the HCT-8 and NCI-H460 xenograft mouse model, compared with cisplatin. Taken together, these mechanistic insights indicate that both Pt1 and Pt2 display low toxicity and could be novel anticancer drug candidates.

Copper chaperone Atox1 interacts with the metal-binding domain of Wilson's disease protein in cisplatin detoxification

Human copper transporters ATP7B (Wilson's disease protein) and ATP7A (Menkes' disease protein) have been implicated in tumour resistance to cisplatin, a widely used anticancer drug. Cisplatin binds to the copper-binding sites in the N-terminal domain of ATP7B, and this binding may be an essential step of cisplatin detoxification involving copper ATPases. In the present study, we demonstrate that cisplatin and a related platinum drug carboplatin produce the same adduct following reaction with MBD2 [metal-binding domain (repeat) 2], where platinum is bound to the side chains of the cysteine residues in the CxxC copper-binding motif. This suggests the same mechanism for detoxification of both drugs by ATP7B. Platinum can also be transferred to MBD2 from copper chaperone Atox1, which was shown previously to bind cisplatin. Binding of the free cisplatin and reaction with the cisplatin-loaded Atox1 produce the same protein-bound platinum intermediate. Transfer of platinum along the copper-transport pathways in the cell may serve as a mechanism of drug delivery to its target in the cell nucleus, and explain tumour-cell resistance to cisplatin associated with the overexpression of copper transporters ATP7B and ATP7A.

Study of the synthesis, antiproliferative properties, and interaction with DNA and polynucleotides of cisplatin-like Pt(II) complexes containing carcinogenic polyaromatic amines

The chemical and biological features of two newly synthesized [PtCl2(L)(2-aminonaphthalene)] complexes (L is NH3 or 2-aminonaphthalene) were compared with those of two already reported enantiomeric complexes of formula [PtCl2(DABN)] [DABN is (R)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine or (S)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diamine]. Solution behavior, lipophilicity, cytotoxicity with regard to one colorectal (HCT116) and two ovarian (A2780 and A2780Cp8) human carcinoma cell lines, and in vitro DNA- and G-quadruplex-binding properties were evaluated. In particular, the cytotoxicity of [PtCl2(NH3)(2-aminonaphthalene)] was better than that of cisplatin for all cell lines, and rather resembled that of oxaliplatin. The solution behavior of the whole series of complexes and the absence of an evident relationship between lipophilicity and cytotoxicity seem to suggest that all these experimental parameters are probably smoothed out during the 3-day cytotoxicity experiments and do not strongly affect the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations. The results of electrophoretic studies indicate that different kinds of interaction with DNA can be involved in the mode of action of these complexes, with intercalation in double-stranded DNA and stacking on G-quadruplex DNA being strongly implicated in particular for [PtCl2(NH3)(2-aminonaphthalene)].

Pt(II) complexes with bidentate and tridentate pyrazolyl-containing chelators: synthesis, structural characterization and biological studies

A series of four Pt(II) complexes anchored by bidentate or tridentate pyrazolyl-alkylamine chelators bearing different substituents at the azolyl rings has been prepared with the aim to assess their interest in the design of novel anticancer drugs. All complexes have been fully characterized by classical analytical methods and three of them were characterized also by X-ray diffraction analysis. Their solution behavior, together with lipophilicity measurements, cell uptake, antiproliferative properties, DNA interaction have been evaluated. Albeit all the complexes were less active than cisplatin on ovarian carcinoma A2780 cell line, greatly retained their activity in the cisplatin-resistant A2780cisR cell line and presented a lower resistance factor compared to cisplatin. Moreover, the Pt(II) complexes under investigation were less prone to undergo deactivation by glutathione, believed to be the major cellular target of cisplatin that inactivates the drug by binding to it irreversibly.

Reactions of metallodrugs with proteins: selective binding of phosphane-based platinum(ii) dichlorides to horse heart cytochrome c probed by ESI MS coupled to enzymatic cleavage

The reaction of two cis-diphosphane platinum(ii) dichlorides with horse heart cytochrome c (cyt c) leads to remarkable selectivity in terms of adduct formation.