Rational design of an arene ruthenium chlorin conjugate for in vivo anticancer activity

Current hurdles to the translation of nanomedicines from bench to the clinic

The field of nanomedicine has significantly influenced research areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics, theranostics, and regenerative medicine; however, the further development of this field will face significant challenges at the regulatory level if related guidance remains unclear and unconsolidated. This review describes those features and pathways crucial to the clinical translation of nanomedicine and highlights considerations for early-stage product development. These include identifying those critical quality attributes of the drug product essential for activity and safety, appropriate analytical methods (physical, chemical, biological) for characterization, important process parameters, and adequate pre-clinical models. Additional concerns include the evaluation of batch-to-batch consistency and considerations regarding scaling up that will ensure a successful reproducible manufacturing process. Furthermore, we advise close collaboration with regulatory agencies from the early stages of development to assure an aligned position to accelerate the development of future nanomedicines.

A one-dimensional manganese(III)-porphyrin coordination polymer: crystal structure and photophysical properties

A novel manganese(III)-porphyrin complex, namely, catena-poly[[chloridomanganese(III)]-μ₂-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pyridin-3-yl)-21H,23H-porphinato(2-)-κ⁵N²¹,N²²,N²³,N²⁴:N⁵], [MnCl(C₄₀H₂₄N₈)]_n, 1, was prepared by the hydrothermal reaction of manganese chloride with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pyridin-3-yl)-21H,23H-porphine. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The porphyrin macrocycle exhibits a saddle-like distortion geometry. The Mn^III atom has a six-coordination geometry. Each porphyrin unit links to two neighbouring units to yield a one-dimensional coordination polymer. These chains are further interlinked by hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional network. The complex shows red photoluminescence emission bands in ethanol solution, which can be attributed to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) accompanied by partial metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), as revealed by TDDFT calculations.

Anticancer Activity of Electron-Deficient Metal Complexes against Colorectal Cancer in vitro Models

An evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of nine electron-deficient half-sandwich metal complexes towards two colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116 p53+/+, HCT116 p53-/-) and one normal prostate cell line (PNT2) is presented herein. Three complexes were found to be equally cytotoxic towards both colorectal cancer cell lines, suggesting a p53-independent mechanism of action. These complexes are 12 to 34× more potent than cisplatin against HCT116 p53+/+ and HCT116 p53-/- cells. Furthermore, they were found to exhibit little or no cytotoxicity towards PNT2 normal cells, with selectivity ratios greater than 50. To gain an insight into the potential mechanisms of action of the most active compounds, their effects on the expression levels of a panel of genes were measured using qRT-PCR against treated HCT116 p53+/+ and HCT116 p53-/- cells, and cell-cycle analysis was carried out.

Pseudo electron-deficient organometallics: limited reactivity towards electron-donating ligands

This work presents the unusual reactivity of a family of electron-deficient half-sandwich metal complexes.

Design of an amphiphilic porphyrin exhibiting high in vitro photocytotoxicity

A promising photosensitiser, which exhibits extremely suitable properties for photodynamic applications is described.

pH-responsive metallo-supramolecular nanogel for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy

Benefited from the high orientation of coordinated interaction, metallo-supramolecular materials have attracted enormous interest in many fields. Herein, a novel metallo-supramolecular nanogel (SNG)-based drug delivery system for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy is explored to enhance anticancer efficacy. It is fabricated by the metallo-supramolecular-coordinated interaction between tetraphenylporphyrin zinc (Zn-Por) and histidine. It can respond to tumor acid microenvironment to release the co-delivered anticancer drug and photosensitizer to kill the lesion cells. Zn-Por moieties in SNG keep the photosensitivity in the range of visible wavelength and possess the ability of generating active oxygen species for photodynamic therapy. The drug-loaded SNG provides a di-functional platform for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Compared with the single chemotherapy of free doxorubicine (DOX) or photodynamic therapy of Zn-Por in SNG, DOX-loaded SNG with irradiation shows higher in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anticancer therapeutic activity, endowing the SNG with great potential in cancer treatments.

THE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

A combination of multiple non-cross-resistant anticancer agents has been widely applied clinically. Applying multiple drugs with different molecular targets can raise the genetic barriers and delay the cancer adaption process. Multiple drugs targeting different cellular pathways can function synergistically, giving higher therapeutic efficacy and target selectivity. Overall, developing a combination therapeutic approach might even be the key to enhance anticancer efficacy and overcome chemo-resistance. Herein, a novel metallo-supramolecular nanogel (SNG) is fabricated by the metallo-supramolecular-coordinated interaction between tetraphenylporphyrin zinc (Zn-Por) and histidine. The DOX-loaded SNG provides a di-functional platform for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy because it can respond to tumor acid microenvironment to release the co-delivered anticancer drug and photosensitizer to kill the lesion cells.

Precious metal carborane polymer nanoparticles: characterisation of micellar formulations and anticancer activity

We report the encapsulation of highly hydrophobic 16-electron organometallic ruthenium and osmium carborane complexes [Ru/Os(p-cymene)(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarborane-1,2-dithiolate)] ( and ) in Pluronic® triblock copolymer P123 core-shell micelles. The spherical nanoparticles and , dispersed in water, were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS; diameter ca. 15 and 19 nm, respectively). Complexes and were highly active towards A2780 human ovarian cancer cells (IC(50) 0.17 and 2.50 μM, respectively) and the encapsulated complexes, as and nanoparticles, were less potent (IC(50) 6.69 μM and 117.5 μM, respectively), but more selective towards cancer cells compared to normal cells.

Lipophilicity-dependent ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as potential anticancer agents

Five novel Ru(ii)–N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) were synthesized and biologically evaluated, one of which showed superior activity against PC-3 cell lines and 6 fold more activity than cisplatin.