Amide-based prodrugs of spermidine-bridged dinuclear platinum. Synthesis, DNA binding, and biological activity

A Comparison of Di- and Trinuclear Platinum Complexes Interacting with Glycosaminoglycans for Targeted Chemotherapy

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and their associated proteins aid in tumor progression through modulation of biological events such as cell invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunological responses. Metalloshielding of the anionic heparan sulfate (HS) chains by cationic polynuclear platinum complexes (PPCs) prevents the HS from interacting with HS-associated proteins and thus diminishes the critical functions of HSPG. Studies herein exploring the PPC-HS interactions demonstrated that a series of PPCs varying in charge, nuclearity, distance between Pt centers, and hydrogen-bonding ability influence HS affinity. We report that the polyamine-linked complexes have high HS affinity and display excellent in vivo activity against breast cancer metastases and those arising in the bone and liver compared to carboplatin. Overall, the PPC-HS niche offers an attractive approach for targeting HSPG-expressing tumor cells.

Synthesis, characterization, biological properties, and molecular docking studies of new phosphoramide-based Ag(i) complexes

The effect of two new synthesized Ag(i) complexes on their biological properties was examined.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel steroidal pyrazole amides as highly potent anticancer agents

A series of thirty-six steroidal pyrazole amides, divided into two categories based on their main skeletons were designed and synthesized via a five-step synthetic route. The final product is obtained through Pinnick oxidation of pyrazole aldehydes to yield the corresponding acids, which then underwent amidation to afford the target products efficiently under mild reaction conditions. Structures of the desired compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry; X-ray structural characterization of compound 16n was also obtained. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activity against four cancer cell lines (Pc-3 A549, Hela, HepG2) using the SRB method. Amides 10n, 16n, and 16p-16t exhibited moderate to high cytotoxic activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.05 to 8.73 μM. Of note, the hydrochloride derivative 16p displayed the highest activity towards PC-3 cells with IC₅₀ values of 2.05 μM. Analysis of structure-activity relationships indicated that the presence of the diamine moiety and the aqueous solubility of the derivatives were vital factors for antiproliferative potency. Furthermore, molecule 16p induced PC-3 cells apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner.

Locked and Loaded: Ruthenium(II)-Capped Cucurbit[n]uril-Based Rotaxanes with Antimetastatic Properties

We report here the first coupling of Ru(II) units with cucurbit[6/7]uril-based pseudorotaxane ligands meant for biological application. The resulting ruthenium-capped rotaxanes were fully characterized, and a structure of one supramolecular system was determined by X-ray diffraction. Because the biological properties of Ru-based metallodrugs are tightly linked to the ligand-exchange processes, the effect of salt concentration on the hydrolysis of chlorides from the Ru(II) center was monitored by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The biological activity of Ru(II)-based rotaxanes was evaluated for three selected mammalian breast cell lines, HBL-100, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231. The antimetastatic activity of the assembled cationic Ru(II)-rotaxane systems, evaluated in migration assays against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, is notably enhanced compared to that of RAPTA-C, a reference that was used. The indicated synergistic effect of combining Ru(II) with a pseudorotaxane unit opens a new direction in searching for anticancer supramolecular metallodrugs.

Novel platinum-based anticancer drug: a complete vibrational study

The introduction of cisplatin to oncology, in the 1970s, marked the onset of the search for novel and improved metal-based anticancer drugs. Polynuclear PtII and PdII complexes with linear alkylamines as bridging ligands are a class of potential antineoplastic agents that have shown promising cytotoxicity against low-prognosis human cancers, such as metastatic breast adenocarcinoma and osteosarcoma. The present study reports an analysis of [μ-N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)butane-1,4-diamine-κ4 N,N′:N′′,N′′′]bis[dichloridoplatinum(II)], [Pt2Cl4(C10H26N4)], denoted Pt2Spm (Spm is spermine), by vibrational spectroscopy coupled to theoretical calculations. Within the latter, the Density Functional Theory (DFT – mPW1PW/6-31G*) and Effective Core Potential (ECP – LANL2DZ) approaches were used, in order to ensure the most accurate representation of the molecule and achieve a maximum agreement with the experimental data. The solid-state geometry of Pt2Spm corresponds to Ci symmetry, displaying 132 vibrational modes. A complete assignment of the experimental vibrational profile of the system was attained through the combined application of complementary Raman, FT–IR and Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) techniques. INS allowed an unequivocal identification of the CH2 and NH2 rocking modes, not clearly detected by the optical techniques, while Raman measurements led to a clear discrimination of the Pt—N stretching frequencies from the two distinct Pt—N moieties within the chelate. The metal-to-metal distances calculated for the molecule under study were found to allow the establishment of effective inter- and intrastrand crosslinks with DNA. These results will hopefully help to clarify the mode of action of the compound, at the molecular level, contributing to the development of improved cisplatin-like chemotherapeutic drugs having a higher efficacy and specificity coupled to lower acquired resistance and deleterious side effects.

Vibrational and conformational studies of 1,3-diaminopropane and its N-deuterated and N-ionised derivatives

A scarce understanding of the biological role of 1,3-diaminopropane highlights the relevance of attaining its full conformational preferences, using combined FTIR, Raman and INS spectroscopies.

Increased breast cancer cell toxicity by palladination of the polyamine analogue N (1),N (11)-bis(ethyl)norspermine

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor forms among women and many women succumb to their disease. Thus, new anticancer agents that can efficiently improve patient survival are of the utmost importance. In this study, the effects of the polyamine analogues N (1),N (11)-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BENSpm) and N (1)-cyclo-propylmethyl-N (11)-ethylnorspermine (CPENSpm) and the synthesized dinuclear complexes Pd2BENSpm (Pd-BENSpm), Pt2CPENSpm (Pt-CPENSpm) and Pd2Spm (Pd-Spm) were investigated in normal-like breast epithelial MCF-10A cells and the breast cancer cell lines JIMT-1 and L56BR-C1. The overall data show that palladination of BENSpm resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity, in contrast to platination of CPENSpm that reduced cytotoxicity, which might be explained by differences in the cellular uptake of Pd-BENSpm and Pt-CPENSpm. BENSpm and Pd-BENSpm treatment reduced the CD44(+)CD24(-) putative cancer stem cell population, evaluated by flow cytometry. Furthermore, Pd-BENSpm was the most efficient compound regarding induction of DNA damage and decrease in colony formation in soft agar. Pt-CPENSpm and Pd-Spm, on the other hand, were shown to be the least toxic compounds of all tested. Pd-Spm efficiently reduced the cellular glutathione levels, which probably was a consequence of its metabolic inactivation by conjugation to this endogenous thiol. The normal-like cells were found to be less sensitive to the agents than the breast cancer cells. Our findings show that Pd-BENSpm exhibits promising anticancer effects which render it suitable for further optimization to develop a new metal-based chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer treatment.

Platinum and Palladium Polyamine Complexes as Anticancer Agents: The Structural Factor

Since the introduction of cisplatin to oncology in 1978, Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds have been intensively studied with a view to develop the improved anticancer agents. Polynuclear polyamine complexes, in particular, have attracted special attention, since they were found to yield DNA adducts not available to conventional drugs (through long-distance intra- and interstrand cross-links) and to often circumvent acquired cisplatin resistance. Moreover, the cytotoxic potency of these polyamine-bridged chelates is strictly regulated by their structural characteristics, which renders this series of compounds worth investigating and their synthesis being carefully tailored in order to develop third-generation drugs coupling an increased spectrum of activity to a lower toxicity. The present paper addresses the latest developments in the design of novel antitumor agents based on platinum and palladium, particularly polynuclear chelates with variable length aliphatic polyamines as bridging ligands, highlighting the close relationship between their structural preferences and cytotoxic ability. In particular, studies by vibrational spectroscopy techniques are emphasised, allowing to elucidate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) ruling anticancer activity.

Pt(II) Complexes with Linear Diamines—Part I: Vibrational Study of Pt-Diaminopropane

A conformational analysis of the Pt(dap)Cl2complex (-diaminopropane) was performed by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, and INS), coupled to quantum mechanical methods within the density functional theory (DFT) and effective core potential (ECP) approaches. A complete spectral assignment of the system was achieved, due to the combined use of all available vibrational spectroscopic techniques. A good agreement was found between experimental and theoretical results, as well as with reported data for analogous complexes (e.g., cisplatin).

Non-Covalent Polynuclear Platinum Compounds as Polyamine Analogs

Polynuclear platinum compounds (PPCs) represent a discrete class of antitumor agents that bear structural resemblance to polyamines. This chapter reviews developments on the chemistry and biology of polynuclear platinum drugs and especially the recognition that “non-covalent” agents based on this motif represent a further challenge to the structure-activity paradigms for platinum antitumor agents. Pt-DNA bond formation is not a strict requirement for DNA affinity leading to manifestation of promising cytotoxicity and antitumor activity. Non-covalent PPCs bind to DNA in a non-covalent manner through a novel binding motif, the phosphate clamp, analogous to the arginine fork. This binding mode is discrete from “classical” intercalation and minor groove binding. In solution, analysis of 1-D and 2-D 1HNMR data places the compounds in the minor groove of the DNA, spanning several base pairs. A melphalan protection assay indicated that the complex was at least as effective in blocking melphalan access to the minor groove as distamycin. Further biological consequences of the structure are remarkably enhanced cellular accumulation, further distinguishing the non-covalent group as a unique class of agents.

Cellular and biomolecular responses of human ovarian cancer cells to cytostatic dinuclear platinum(II) complexes

Polynuclear platinum(II) complexes represent a class of potential anticancer agents that have shown promising pharmacological properties in preclinical studies. The nature of cellular responses induced by these complexes, however, is poorly understood. In this research, the cellular responses of human ovarian cancer COC1 cells to dinuclear platinum(II) complexes {[cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl]₂L¹}(NO₃)₂ (1) and {[cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl]₂L²}(NO₃)₂ (2) (L¹ = α,α'-diamino-p-xylene, L² = 4,4'-methylenedianiline) has been studied using cisplatin as a reference. The effect of platinum complexes on the proliferation, death mode, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle progression has been examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The activation of cell cycle checkpoint kinases (CHK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) of the cells by the complexes has also been analyzed using phospho-specific flow cytometry. Complex 1 is more cytotoxic than complex 2 and cisplatin at most concentrations; complex 2 and cisplatin are comparably cytotoxic. These complexes kill the cells through an apoptotic or apoptosis-like pathway characterized by exposure of phosphatidylserine and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Complex 1 shows the strongest inductive effect on the morphological changes of the cells, followed by cisplatin and complex 2. Complexes 1 and 2 arrest the cell cycle in G2 or M phase, while cisplatin arrests the cell cycle in S phase. The influence of these complexes on CHK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK varies with the dose of the drugs or reaction time. Activation of phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-p38 MAPK by these complexes is closely related to the cytostatic activity. The results demonstrate that dinuclear platinum(II) complexes can induce some cellular responses different from those caused by cisplatin.

Effects of noncovalent platinum drug-protein interactions on drug efficacy: use of fluorescent conjugates as probes for drug metabolism

The overall efficacy of platinum based drugs is limited by metabolic deactivation through covalent drug-protein binding. In this study the factors affecting cytotoxicity in the presence of glutathione, human serum albumin (HSA) and whole serum binding with cisplatin, BBR3464, and TriplatinNC, a "noncovalent" derivative of BBR3464, were investigated. Upon treatment with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), to reduce cellular glutathione levels, cisplatin and BBR3464-induced apoptosis was augmented whereas TriplatinNC-induced cytotoxicity was unaltered. Treatment of A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells with HSA-bound cisplatin (cisplatin/HSA) and cisplatin preincubated with whole serum showed dramatic decreases in cytotoxicity, cellular accumulation, and DNA adduct formation compared to treatment with cisplatin alone. Similar effects are seen with BBR3464. In contrast, TriplatinNC, the HSA-bound derivative (TriplatinNC/HSA), and TriplatinNC pretreated with whole serum retained identical cytotoxic profiles and equal levels of cellular accumulation at all time points. Confocal microscopy of both TriplatinNC-NBD, a fluorescent derivative of TriplatinNC, and TriplatinNC-NBD/HSA showed nuclear/nucleolar localization patterns, distinctly different from the lysosomal localization pattern seen with HSA. Cisplatin-NBD, a fluorescent derivative of cisplatin, was shown to accumulate in the nucleus and throughout the cytoplasm while the localization of cisplatin-NBD/HSA was limited to lysosomal regions of the cytoplasm. The results suggest that TriplatinNC can avoid high levels of metabolic deactivation currently seen with clinical platinum chemotherapeutics, and therefore retain a unique cytotoxic profile after cellular administration.

Solution studies of dinuclear polyamine-linked platinum-based antitumour complexes

The aquation profiles of two novel dinuclear polyamine-linked, platinum-based antitumour complexes [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](3+) (BBR3007, 1,1/t,t-6,6, 1) and [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(2)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](4+) (BBR3610, 1,1/t,t-6,2,6, 1') have been probed using 2D [(1)H, (15)N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Reported herein are the rate constants for the hydrolysis of 1 and 1', as well as the acid dissociation constants of the coordinated aqua ligands in their aquated derivatives. The aquation and anation rate constants for the single step aquation model in 15 mM NaClO(4) (pH 5.4) at 298 K are, for 1, k(1) = 7.2 ± 0.1 ×10(-5) s(-1), k(-1) = 0.096 ± 0.002 M(-1) s(-1) and, for 1', k(1) = 4.0 ± 0.2 × 10(-5) s(-1), k(-1) = 1.4 ± 0.1 M(-1) s(-1). The effect of the linker backbone (Pt(tetra(m)mine vs. polyamine) was evaluated by comparison with previous data for the trinuclear complex [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(μ-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2){NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)}(2))](4+) (1,0,1/t,t,t or BBR3464). The pK(1) for 1,0,1/t,t,t (3.44) is closest to that of 1 (3.12), while the pronounced difference for 1' (4.54), means that 1' is the least aquated of the three complexes at equilibrium. pK(a) values of 5.92 were calculated for the aquated forms of both 1 and 1', which are 0.3 pK units higher than for either 1,0,1/t,t,t, or the dinuclear 1,1/t,t. The higher pK(a) values for both polyamine-linked compounds may be attributed to the formation of macrochelates between the central NH(2) groups and the {PtN(3)O} coordination sphere of the aquated species.

The trans influence in the modulation of platinum anticancer agent biology: the effect of nitrite leaving group on aquation, reactions with S-nucleophiles and DNA binding of dinuclear and trinuclear compounds

To examine the effect of leaving group and trans influence on the general reactivity of polynuclear platinum antitumor agents we investigated substitution of the chloride leaving groups with nitrite ion, which forms strong bonds to Pt. It was of interest to explore whether nitrite could be used to modulate biological properties of these agents, in particular the deactivating reactions that occur on reaction with S-nucleophiles, involving loss of the linking diamine under the trans influence of sulfur. Reported herein is a study of the synthesis, aquation, DNA binding and reactions with glutathione (GSH), methionine (Met) and acetylmethione (AcMet) of nitrito derivatives of di- and trinuclear platinum antitumor compounds: [{trans-PtNO(2)(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2))](NO(3))(2) (1-NO(2)) and [{trans-PtNO(2)(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2){NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)}(2))](NO(3))(4) (1'-NO(2)). {(1)H,(15)N}-HSQC NMR studies revealed that 1-NO(2) is inert to aquation reactions, even after prolonged incubation at physiological pH. Monitoring of the interaction of 1-NO(2) with the duplex 5'-d(ATATGTACATAT)(2) (I) showed only unreacted complex, consistent with activation by aquation being a requirement for covalent DNA binding. The reaction of 1-NO(2) with GSH was studied by (1)H, (195)Pt, (15)N and {(1)H,(15)N}-HSQC NMR spectroscopy. For the parent dichlorido compounds (1 and 1') substitution of chloride by GS(-) leads to drug degradation involving liberation of the diamine linker. While the same final products trans-[Pt(SG)(2)(NH(3))(2)] (5) and trans-[{Pt(SG)(NH(3))(2)}(2)-mu-SG] (6) are formed, different mechanisms are involved, consistent with the trans influence NO(2)(-) > Cl(-); the half-life is slightly longer for 1-NO(2) (1.8 h) compared with 1 (1.3 h). Identification of the intermediate trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(NO(2))(SG)] (4) shows that the nitrito group remains coordinated while the linker amine is substituted by coordination of GS(-), and then trans labilization of the nitrito group occurs leading to 5 and 6. Reaction of the trinuclear 1'-NO(2) with GSH follows essentially the same reaction pathway. Reaction of 1-NO(2) with Met and AcMet is much slower and only 20 % liberated amine was observed after reaction with Met for 24 h at 37 degrees C. The final product from reaction with AcMet is trans-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(NO(2))(AcMet)], as in this case coordination of the S-nucleophile does not lead to trans labilization of the nitrito group.

Platinum(II) oxalato complexes with adenine-based carrier ligands showing significant in vitro antitumor activity

[Pt(L)(2)(ox)] (1), [Pt(2-OMeL)(2)(ox)] (2), [Pt(3-OMeL)(2)(ox)] (3), [Pt(2,3-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (4), [Pt(2,4-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (5), [Pt(3,4-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (6) and [Pt(3,5-diOMeL)(2)(ox)].4H(2)O (7) platinum(II) oxalato (ox) complexes were synthesized using the reaction of potassium bis(oxalato)platinate(II) dihydrate with 2-chloro-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine or its benzyl-substituted analogues (nL). The complexes 1-7, which represent the first platinum(II) oxalato complexes involving adenine-based ligands, were fully characterized by various physical methods including multinuclear and two dimensional NMR spectroscopy. A single-crystal X-ray analysis of [Pt(2,4-diOMeL)(2)(ox)].2DMF (5.2DMF; DMF=N,N'-dimethylformamide), proved the slightly distorted square-planar geometry in the vicinity of the Pt(II) ion with one bidentate-coordinated oxalate dianion and two adenine derivatives (nL) coordinated to the Pt(II) centre through the N7 atom of an adenine moiety, thereby giving a PtN(2)O(2) donor set. In vitro cytotoxicity of the prepared complexes was tested by an MTT assay against osteosarcoma (HOS) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) human cancer cell lines. The best results were achieved for the complexes 2 and 5 in the case of both cell lines, whose IC(50) values equalled 3.6+/-1.0, and 4.3+/-2.1microM (for 2), and 5.4+/-3.8, and 3.6+/-2.1microM (for 5), respectively. The IC(50) equals 9.2+/-1.5microM against MCF7 cells in the case of 1. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the mentioned complexes significantly exceeded commercially used platinum-based anticancer drugs cisplatin (34.2+/-6.4microM and 19.6+/-4.3microM) and oxaliplatin (>50.0microM for both cancer cell lines).

Factors affecting DNA-DNA interstrand cross-links in the antiparallel 3'-3' sense: a comparison with the 5'-5' directional isomer

Reported herein is a study of the unusual 3'-3' 1,4-GG interstrand cross-link (IXL) formation in duplex DNA by a series of polynuclear platinum anticancer complexes. To examine the effect of possible preassociation through charge and hydrogen-bonding effects the closely related compounds [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2){NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)}(2))](4+) (BBR3464, 1), [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2))](2+) (BBR3005, 2), [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(3)NH(2)(CH(2))(4))](3+) (BBR3571, 3) and [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2){mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(3)-N(COCF(3))(CH(2))(4)}](2+) (BBR3571-COCF(3), 4) were studied. Two different molecular biology approaches were used to investigate the effect of DNA template upon IXL formation in synthetic 20-base-pair duplexes. In the "hybridisation directed" method the monofunctionally adducted top strands were hybridised with their complementary 5'-end labelled strands; after 24 h the efficiency of interstrand cross-linking in the 5'-5' direction was slightly higher than in the 3'-3' direction. The second method involved "postsynthetic modification" of the intact duplex; significantly less cross-linking was observed, but again a slight preference for the 5'-5' duplex was present. 2D [(1)H, (15)N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy studies of the reaction of [(15)N]-1 with the sequence 5'-d{TATACATGTATA}(2) allowed direct comparison of the stepwise formation of the 3'-3' IXL with the previously studied 5'-5' IXL on the analogous sequence 5'-d(ATATGTACATAT)(2). Whereas the preassociation and aquation steps were similar, differences were evident at the monofunctional binding step. The reaction did not yield a single distinct 3'-3' 1,4-GG IXL, but numerous cross-linked adducts formed. Similar results were found for the reaction with the dinuclear [(15)N]-2. Molecular dynamics simulations for the 3'-3' IXLs formed by both 1 and 2 showed a highly distorted structure with evident fraying of the end base pairs and considerable widening of the minor groove.

Improving platinum(II)-based anticancer drug delivery using cucurbit[n]urils

Despite the synthesis of hundreds of new platinum(II) and platinum(IV)-based complexes each year as potential anticancer drugs, only three have received world-wide approval: cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin. The next big advance in platinum-based chemotherapy is not likely to come from the development of new drugs, but from the controlled and targeted delivery of already approved drugs or those in late stage clinical trials. Encapsulation of platinum drugs inside macromolecules has already demonstrated promise, and encapsulation within cucurbit[n]urils has shown particular potential. Partial or full encapsulation within cucurbit[n]urils provides steric hindrance to drug degradation by peptides and proteins, and the use of different sized cucurbit[n]urils allows for the tuning of drug release rates, cytotoxicity and toxicity.

Pre-association of polynuclear platinum anticancer agents on a protein, human serum albumin. Implications for drug design

The interactions of polynuclear platinum complexes with human serum albumin were studied. The compounds examined were the "non-covalent" analogs of the trinuclear BBR3464 as well as the dinuclear spermidine-bridged compounds differing in only the presence or absence of a central -NH(2)-(+) (BBR3571 and analogs). Thus, closely-related compounds could be compared. Evidence for pre-association, presumably through electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding, was obtained from fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). In the case of those compounds containing Pt-Cl bonds, further reaction took place presumably through displacement by sulfur nucleophiles. The implications for protein pre-association and plasma stability of polynuclear platinum compounds are discussed.