Novel Silver Complexes Based on Phosphanes and Ester Derivatives of Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate Ligands Targeting TrxR: New Promising Chemotherapeutic Tools Relevant to SCLC Management

Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (HC(pz)₂COOH) and bis(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid (HC(pz^Me2)₂COOH) were converted into the methyl ester derivatives 1 (L^OMe) and 2 (L^2OMe), respectively, and were used for the preparation of silver(I) complexes 3-5. The Ag(I) complexes were prepared by the reaction of AgNO₃ and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) or triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) with L^OMe and L^2OMe in methanol solution. All Ag(I) complexes showed a significant in vitro antitumor activity, proving to be more effective than the reference drug cisplatin in the in-house human cancer cell line panel containing examples of different solid tumors. Compounds were particularly effective against the highly aggressive and intrinsically resistant human small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells, either in 2D and 3D cancer cell models. Mechanistic studies revealed their ability to accumulate into cancer cells and to selectively target Thioredoxin (TrxR), thus leading to redox homeostasis unbalance and ultimately inducing cancer cell death through apoptosis.

Breast radiotherapy with kilovoltage photons and gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizer: An in vitro study

Purpose

We investigated the dose enhancement and internalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used as a radiosensitizer agent for rotational radiotherapy of breast cancer using a kilovoltage (kV) X‐ray beam.

Methods

Human breast cancer cells MDA‐MB‐231 were incubated with or without 100 μg/mL (4.87 nM) or 200 μg/mL (9.74 nM) 15 nm AuNPs and irradiated with 100 kV, 190 kV, or 6 MV X‐rays. To assess the toxicity of the AuNPs, we performed a Sulforhodamine B assay. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and time‐lapse optical microscopy (rate of 2 frames per minute), we carried out a quantitative assessment of the amount of gold internalized by MDA‐MB‐231 cells and a characterization of the static and dynamical aspects of this internalization process.

Results

No effect of AuNPs alone was shown on cell viability. Time‐lapse optical microscopy showed for the first time AuNPs cellular uptake and the dynamics of AuNPs internalization. Electron microscopy demonstrated AuNPs localization in endosomal vesicles, preferentially in the perinuclear region. After irradiation at doses up to 2 Gy, cell survival fraction curves showed increased mortality with AuNPs, with respect to irradiation without AuNPs. The highest effect of radioenhancement by AuNPs (at 9.74 nM AuNPs concentration) was observed at 190 kV showing a dose enhancement factor of 1.33 ± 0.06 (1.34 ± 0.02 at 100 kV), while at 6 MV it was 1.14 ± 0.06.

Conclusions

The observed radio‐sensitization effect is promising for future radio‐enhanced kV radiotherapy of breast cancer and quantitatively in the order of previous observations for 15 nm AuNPs. These results of a significant dose enhancement were obtained at 15 nm AuNPs concentration as low as several nanomolar units, at dose levels typical of a single dose fraction in a radiotherapy session. Dynamical behavior of the 3D spatial distribution of 15 nm AuNPs outside the nucleus of single breast cancer cell was observed, with possible implications for future models of AuNPs sensitization.

A focus on the biological targets for coinage metal-NHCs as potential anticancer complexes

Metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are the object of increasing attention for therapeutic purposes. Among the different metal centres, interest on Au-based compounds started with the application as anti-arthritis drugs. On the other hand, Ag(I) antimicrobial properties have been known for a long time. For Au(I)/Au(III)-NHC and Ag(I)-NHC anti-tumour and anti-proliferative properties have been quite recently demonstrated. In addition to these and as for Group 11, copper is a much less investigated metal centre, but a few papers underline its pharmacological potential. This review wants to focus on the different biological targets for these metal-based compounds. It is divided into chapters which are respectively devoted on: i) mitochondria and thiol oxidoreductase systems; ii) other relevant enzymes; iii) nucleic acids. Examples of representative coinage NHCs for each of the targets are provided together with significant references on recent advances on the topic. Moreover, a final comment summarises the aspects enlightened by each chapter and provides some hints to better understand the metal-NHCs mechanistic behaviour based on structure-activity relationships.

Novel fast-acting pyrazole/pyridine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene silver complexes assembled with nanoparticles show enhanced safety and efficacy as anticancer therapeutics

In this study, we designed and synthesized four novel multi-nuclear silver complexes (1-4) coordinated with pyrazole- or pyridine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. The crystal structures of the silver-NHC complexes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. In vitro assays showed that the silver-NHC complexes effectively killed a broad range of cancer cells after short-term drug exposure, serving as fast-acting cytotoxic agents. Of note, in cisplatin-resistant A549 cancer cells, the silver complexes were not cross-resistant with the clinically used cisplatin agent. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that complex 2 triggered caspase-independent cell necrosis associated with intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depletion. By exploiting a facile nano-assembly process, silver-NHC complexes 1, 2 and 4 were successfully integrated into the hydrophobic cores of amphiphilic matrices (DSPE-PEG2K), enabling systemic injection. The silver complex-loaded nanotherapeutics (1-NPs, 2-NPs, and 4-NPs) showed high safety margins with reduced systemic drug toxicities relative to cisplatin in animals. Furthermore, in a xenograft model of human colorectal cancer, the administration of the nanotherapeutics resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor progression.

Imidazole and Benzimidazole Modified Half-Sandwich IridiumIII N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Anticancer Application, and Organelle Targeting

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization and anticancer activity of a series of half-sandwich iridium^III imidazole and benzimidazole N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) anticancer complexes, and the general formula of which can be expressed as [(η⁵-Cp^x)Ir(C^∧N)Cl]Cl (Cp^x: pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp^*) or biphenyl derivatives (Cp^xbiph); C^∧N: imidazole and benzimidazole NHC chelating ligands). Compared with cis-platin, these complexes showed interesting antitumor activity against A549 cells. Complexes could bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by means of static quenching mode, catalyze the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and increase the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, these complexes could arrest the cell cycles of A549 cells and influence the mitochondrial membrane potential significantly. Due to the inherent luminescence property, laser confocal test show that complexes could enter cells followed an energy-dependent mechanism and effectively accumulate in lysosome (the value of Pearson's co-localization coefficient is 0.70 after 1 h), further destroy lysosome integrity and induce apoptosis.

Synthesis, characterization, and antitumor properties of Au(i)–thiourea complexes

The complex Au(i)(3c)2OTf induced the ROS elevation and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in a synergistic manner.

Catalytic Preparation of 1-Aryl-Substituted 1,2,4-Triazolium Salts

1,4-Diaryl- and 1-aryl-4-alkyl-substituted 1,2,4-triazolium salts are convenient air-stable precursors to carbenes used both as organocatalysts or as ligands for transition metal complexes. Traditionally, they are prepared via a multistep synthetic pathway with the low-yielding formation of the triazolium ring occurring in the last step. We have developed an alternative two-step synthesis involving the conversion of a primary amine or aniline derivative to the corresponding 4-substituted triazole followed by a copper-catalyzed arylation with diaryliodonium salts. This transition metal-catalyzed arylation can be carried out under mild conditions in acetonitrile and is tolerant toward both water and oxygen. Additionally, the high functional group tolerance of the protocol described here gives easy access to triazolium salts containing heterocyclic substituents or sulfides.

Highly Electrophilic, Catalytically Active and Redox-Responsive Cobaltoceniumyl and Ferrocenyl Triazolylidene Coinage Metal Complexes

A convenient access to a triad of triazoles with ferrocenyl and cobaltoceniumyl substituents is reported. N-Alkylation, deprotonation and metalation with CuI /AgI /AuI synthons affords the heteroleptic triazolylidene complexes. Due to the combination of neutral, electron-donating ferrocenyl substituents and cationic, strongly electron-withdrawing cobaltocenium substituents, the mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligands of these complexes are electronically interesting "push-pull", "pull-push" and "pull-pull" metalloligands with further switchable redox states based on their fully reversible FeII /FeIII , (ferrocene/ferrocenium) and CoIII /CoII , (cobaltocenium/cobaltocene) redox couples. These are the first examples of metal complexes of (di)cationic NHC ligands based on cobaltoceniumyl substituents. DFT calculated Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) of the new MIC ligands, show these metalloligands to be extremely electron-poor NHCs with properties unmatched in other carbene chemistry. Utilization of these multimetallic electronically tunable compounds in catalytic oxazoline synthesis and in antitumor studies are presented. Remarkably, 1 mol % of the AuI complex with the dicationic MIC ligand displays full catalytic conversion, without the need for any other additives, in less than 2 hours at ambient temperatures. These results thus firmly establish these new classes of cobaltoceniumyl based (di)cationic MIC ligands as prominent players in several branches of chemistry.

A macrocyclic silver polycarbene complex based on 1,2,4-triazole units: synthesis and postsynthetic modification

A method for the synthesis of a new rectangular 1,2,4-triazole-containing macrocycle via photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition with a metal–carbene template was developed.

Recent Developments in the Medicinal Applications of Silver-NHC Complexes and Imidazolium Salts

Because of their great structural diversity and multitude of chemical properties, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been utilized in a variety of capacities. Most recently, NHCs have been utilized as carrier molecules for many transition metals in medicinal chemistry. Specifically, Ag(I)-NHCs have been investigated as potent antibacterial agents and chemotherapeutics and have shown great efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Ag(I)-NHC compounds have been shown to be effective against a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Many compounds have also shown great efficacy as antitumor agents demonstrating comparable or better antitumor activity than standard chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. While these compounds have shown great promise, clinical use has remained an unattained goal. Current research has been focused upon synthesis of novel Ag(I)-NHC compounds and further investigations of their antibacterial and antitumor activity. This review will focus on recent advances of Ag(I)-NHCs in medicinal applications.

Coinage Metal Complexes of the Carbenic Tautomer of a Conjugated Mesomeric Betaine Akin to Nitron

This study was motivated by our recent observation that the analytical reagent Nitron (2) is an “instant carbene”, whose reaction with coinage metal salts MX afforded complexes of its carbenic tautomer 1,4-diphenyl-3-phenylamino-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2′). Our aim was to establish an alkyl homologue of 2 in order to achieve a carbenic tautomer of higher donicity. For this purpose 1-tert-butyl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-tert-butylaminide (6) was synthesized. Its reactions with MX afforded complexes of the carbenic tautomer 1-tert-butyl-3-tert-butylamino-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (6′). With a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 complexes of the type [MX(6′)] were obtained. A ratio of 2:1 furnished complexes of the type [MX(6′)₂] or [M(6′)₂]X. 6′ is a better σ-donor and less electrophilic than 2′ according to NMR spectroscopic data of 6H[BF₄] and 6′ = Se, respectively, and IR spectroscopic data of [RhCl(6′)(CO)₂] confirm that its net electron donor capacity is superior to that of 2′. A comparison of the complexes of 2′ and 6′ reveals two pronounced structural differences. [CuX(6′)₂] (X = Cl, Br) exhibit more acute C–Cu–C bond angles than [CuX(2′)₂]. In contrast to [CuCl(2′)], [CuCl(6′)] aggregates through Cu···Cu contacts of ca. 2.87 Å, compatible with cuprophilic interactions. These differences may be explained by the complementary steric requirements of the t-Bu and the Me substituent of 6′.

Various structures of complexes fabricated using transition metals and triazole ligands and their inhibition effects on xanthine luminescence

The interaction between novel transition metal complexes and xanthine luminescence was studied for the first time.