Trinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: Evaluation as photosensitizers for enhanced cervical cancer treatment

Trinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes anchored to benzimidazole-triazine / trisamine scaffolds were investigated as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. The trinuclear complexes were noted to produce a significant amount of singlet oxygen in both DMF and aqueous media, are photostable and show appreciable emission quantum yields (ɸem). In our experimental setting, despite the moderate phototoxic activity in the HeLa cervical cancer cell line, the phototoxic indices (PI) of the trinuclear complexes are superior relative to the PIs of a clinically approved photosensitizer, Photofrin®, and the pro-drug 5-aminolevulinic acid (PI: >7 relative to PI: >1 and PI: 4.4 for 5-aminolevulinic acid and Photofrin®, respectively). Furthermore, the ruthenium complexes were noted to show appreciable long-term cytotoxicity upon light irradiation in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Consequently, this long-term activity of the ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes embodies their ability to reduce the probability of the recurrence of cervical cancer. Taken together, this presents a strong motivation for the development of polymetallic complexes as anticancer agents.

Controversial Role of Transferrin in the Transport of Ruthenium Anticancer Drugs

Ruthenium complexes are at the forefront of developments in metal-based anticancer drugs, but many questions remain open regarding their reactivity in biological media, including the role of transferrin (Tf) in their transport and cellular uptake. A well-known anticancer drug, KP1019 ((IndH)[Ru^IIICl₄(Ind)₂], where Ind = indazole) and a reference complex, [Ru^III(nta)₂]^3- (nta = nitrilotriacetato(3-)) interacted differently with human apoTf, monoFeTf, or Fe₂Tf. These reactions were studied by biolayer interferometry (BLI) measurements of Ru-Fe-Tf binding to recombinant human transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in conjunction with UV-vis spectroscopy and particle size analysis. Cellular Ru uptake in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells was measured under the conditions of the BLI assays. The mode of Tf binding and cellular Ru uptake were critically dependent on the nature of Ru complex, availability of Fe(III) binding sites of Tf, and the presence of proteins that competed for metal binding, particularly serum albumin. Cellular uptake of KP1019 was not Tf-mediated and occurred mostly by passive diffusion, which may also be suitable for treatments of inoperable cancers by intratumoral injections. High cellular Ru uptake from a combination of [Ru^III(nta)₂]^3- and Fe₂Tf in the absence of significant Ru-Tf binding was likely to be due to trapping of Ru(III) species into the endosome during TfR1-mediated endocytosis of Fe₂Tf.

Heterodinuclear Ru-Pt Complexes Bridged with 2,3-Bis(pyridyl)pyrazinyl Ligands: Studies on Kinetics, Deoxyribonucleic Acid/Bovine Serum Albumin Binding and Cleavage, In Vitro Cytotoxicity, and In Vivo Toxicity on Zebrafish Embryo Activities

Di- and poly-homo/heteronuclear complexes have great potential as anticancer drugs. Here, we report their reactivity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding and cleavage interactions, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo zebrafish embryo toxicity of [(phen)₂Ru(μ-L)PtCl₂]²⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and L = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, bpp, C₁ ; 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline, bpq, C_2ial ; 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzo[g]quinoxaline, bbq, C₃ ) anticancer prodrugs. The substitution reactivity increases from C₁ to C₃ owing to an increase in the π-conjugation on the bridging chelate which facilitates π-back bonding. As a result, the electrophilicity index on the C₃ complex increases than that on the complex C₂ followed by C₁ which leads to higher rates of substitution and thus the reactivity order follows C₁ < C₂ < C₃ . The coordination of Ru at one end of each of the complexes enhances water solubility. Moreover, the charge addition of the two metal ions increases their reactivity toward substitution in addition to ensuring electrostatic interactions at target sites such as the DNA/BSA. Spectroscopic (UV-vis absorption and fluorescence quenching) titration and viscosity measurement results of the interactions of C_1/2/3 with CT-DNA established the formation of stable, nonconvent C_1/2/3 -DNA adducts with DNA most likely via the intercalative binding mode. Furthermore, studies with BSA showed a good binding affinity of these complexes owing to hydrophobic interactions with the coordinated ligands. The interactions of these complexes with DNA/BSA are in line with the reactivity trend, and all these experimental findings were further supported by molecular docking analysis. In vitro MTT cytotoxic activities on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 revealed that all the complexes have high cytotoxicity activity (IC₅₀ > 9 μM); furthermore, the selectivity index and SI values were higher (>3). Complex C₃ showed the highest cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ = 3.1 μM and SI value (5.55) against MCF7 cell lines and these values were comparable to those of the cisplatin (IC₅₀ and SI values are 5.0 μM and 4.02, respectively). In vivo toxicological assessments on zebrafish embryos revealed that all the Ru-Pt complexes (C_I/2/3 ) have poor embryo acute toxic effects over 96 h postfertilization, hpf with LC₅₀ > 65.2 μM. The complex C₃ has shown the lowest embryo toxicity (LC₅₀ = 148.8 μM), which is comparable to that of commercial cisplatin (LC₅₀ = 181.1 μM). Based on the cytotoxicity results, complexes C₂ and C₃ could be considered for further development as chemotherapeutic agents against MCF breast cancer cells.

Dinuclear Organoruthenium Complex for Mitochondria-Targeted Near-Infrared Imaging and Anticancer Therapy to Overcome Platinum Resistance

New mononuclear and dinuclear Ru(II) coordination compounds with the 2,7-bisbenzoimidazolyl-naphthyridine ligand have been synthesized and characterized by UV-vis, NMR, and MALDI-TOF. The molecular structures for Ru(II) compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. With the expansion of ligand π-conjugation and the increase in the complexed Ru number, the maximum emission wavelength red-shifted from 696 to 786 nm. The binding mode between complexes and DNA was predicted by molecular docking, which is intercalations and π-π stacking interactions with the surrounding bases. The intercalation mode of DNA binding was then determined by DNA titration and ethidium bromide (EB) displacement experiments. The antigrowth effects of complexes RuY, RuY1, and RuY2 were tested in HaCat (normal cells), HeLa (cervical cancer), A549 (lung cancer), and A549/DDP (cisplatin-resistant lung cancer) through the MTT assay. The dinuclear complex RuY2 was superior to mononuclear complexes and cisplatin in the cisplatin-resistant cell line. Confocal imaging proved that the subcellular localization of Ru(II) complexes was mitochondria; moreover, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. All three complexes showed a dose-dependent manner in all four cell lines. All Ru(II) complexes were found to have reactive oxygen species (ROS). The finding indicated that these Ru(II) complexes caused cell death by both DNA disruption and ROS. This study helps to explore the potential of the polynuclear Ru(II) complexes for the combination of NIR imaging and Pt-resistant cancer therapy.

Photoactivable Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Light-Induced Chemotherapy

Green light photoactive Ru-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), with chemical formula [[Ru(biqbpy)]_1.5(bis)](PF₆)₃ (biqbpy = 6,6'-bis[N-(isoquinolyl)-1-amino]-2,2'-bipyridine; bis = bis(imidazol-1-yl)-hexane), were obtained through polymerization of the trans-[Ru(biqbpy)(dmso)Cl]Cl complex (Complex 1) and bis bridging ligands. The as-synthesized CPNs (50 ± 12 nm diameter) showed high colloidal and chemical stability in physiological solutions. The axial bis(imidazole) ligands coordinated to the ruthenium center were photosubstituted by water upon light irradiation in aqueous medium to generate the aqueous substituted and active ruthenium complexes. The UV-Vis spectral variations observed for the suspension upon irradiation corroborated the photoactivation of the CPNs, while High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of irradiated particles in physiological media allowed for the first time precisely quantifying the amount of photoreleased complex from the polymeric material. In vitro studies with A431 and A549 cancer cell lines revealed an 11-fold increased uptake for the nanoparticles compared to the monomeric complex [Ru(biqbpy)(N-methylimidazole)₂](PF₆)₂ (Complex 2). After irradiation (520 nm, 39.3 J/cm²), the CPNs yielded up to a two-fold increase in cytotoxicity compared to the same CPNs kept in the dark, indicating a selective effect by light irradiation. Meanwhile, the absence of ¹O₂ production from both nanostructured and monomeric prodrugs concluded that light-induced cell death is not caused by a photodynamic effect but rather by photoactivated chemotherapy.

A new bis-pyrazolylpyridine ruthenium(III) complex as a potential anticancer drug: in vitro and in vivo activity in murine colon cancer

We synthesized and characterized the ruthenium(iii) pincer-type complex [RuCl3(H2Lt-Bu] (H2Lt-Bu = 2,6-bis(5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine, 1) by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the mass spectrometry (MS) method ESI Q-TOF. For comparison reasons, we also studied ruthenium(iii) terpyridine complexes of the general formula [Ru(N-N-N)Cl3], where N-N-N = 4'-chloro-terpyridine (Cl-tpy; 2) or 4'-chlorophenyl-terpyridine (Cl-Ph-tpy; 3). A kinetic study of the substitution reactions of 1-3 with biomolecules showed that the rate constants depend on the properties of the spectator ligand and the nature of the entering nucleophile. The DNA/HSA binding study showed that in comparison to complex 1 (bis-pyrazolylpyridine), the other two (2 and 3) terpyridine complexes had a slightly better binding affinity to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), while in the case of human serum albumin (HSA), complex 1 exhibited the strongest quenching ability. We demonstrated that 1 possesses significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against mouse colon carcinoma CT26 cells and in vivo antitumor activity in murine heterotopic colon carcinoma. Complex 1 induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptotic death in CT26 cells. Additionally, 1 showed antiproliferative activity, as evaluated by the detection of the expression levels of the Ki67 protein. Furthermore, the in vivo results showed that 1 reduced primary tumour growth and the number and growth of lung and liver metastases, significantly prolonging the treated mice's survival rate. This study highlighted that 1 does not show hepato- and nephrotoxicity. Our data demonstrated the considerable antitumor activity of the ruthenium(iii) pincer complex against CT26 tumour cells and implicated further investigations of its role as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for colon carcinoma.

Application of X-ray absorption and X-ray fluorescence techniques to the study of metallodrug action

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence microscopy are two synchrotron-based techniques frequently deployed either individually or in tandem to investigate the fates of metallodrugs and their biotransformation products in physiologically relevant sample material. These X-ray methods confer advantages over other analytical techniques in that they are nondestructive and require minimal chemical or physical manipulation of the sample before analysis, conserving both chemical and spatial information of the element(s) under investigation. In this review, we present selected examples of the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence microscopy in studies of metallodrug speciation and localisation in vivo, in cell spheroids and in intact tissues and organs, and offer recent highlights in the advances of these techniques as they pertain to research on metallodrug action.

Ruthenium(II)-Arene Thiocarboxylates: Identification of a Stable Dimer Selectively Cytotoxic to Invasive Breast Cancer Cells

Ru^II -arene complexes provide a versatile scaffold for novel anticancer drugs. Seven new Ru^II -arene-thiocarboxylato dimers were synthesized and characterized. Three of the complexes (2 a, b and 5) showed promising antiproliferative activities in MDA-MB-231 (human invasive breast cancer) cells, and were further tested in a panel of fifteen cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Complex 5 showed moderate but remarkably selective activity in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC₅₀ =39±4 μm Ru). Real-time proliferation studies showed that 5 induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells but had no effect in A549 (human lung cancer, epithelial) cells. By contrast, 2 a and b showed moderate antiproliferative activity, but no apoptosis, in either cell line. Selective cytotoxicity of 5 in aggressive, mesenchymal-like MDA-MB-231 cells over many common epithelial cancer cell lines (including noninvasive breast cancer MCF-7) makes it an attractive lead compound for the development of specifically antimetastatic Ru complexes with low systemic toxicity.

Anti-cancer properties of ruthenium compounds: NAMI-A and KP1019

Cancer research is among the key challenges in current medicine and biology. Many decades of investigations have brought measurable benefits in both areas with regard to expanding the knowledge of the molecular mechanism of cancer and developing treatment strategies. Despite that cancers are still among diseases with the highest mortality rate, and cancer treatment is often unsuccessful and connected with severe side effects. The development of therapeutic strategies in both targeting the primary tumor origin and preventing metastasis is largely based on testing newly synthesized chemical agents, including a group of metal-containing complexes. It seems that ruthenium-containing complexes are of high potential in cancer therapy, and our work presents the current data about the application of ruthenium-based complexes − NAMI-A and KP1019 in cancer therapy.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of benzimidazole-based, trinuclear neutral cyclometallated and cationic, N^N-chelated ruthenium(ii) complexes

A series of 2-phenyl and 2-pyridyl tris-benzimidazole ligands was reacted with the [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ dimer to yield the corresponding neutral cyclometallated and cationic trinuclear organoruthenium(ii) complexes.

Developing preclinical models of neuroblastoma: driving therapeutic testing

Despite advances in cancer therapeutics, particularly in the area of immuno-oncology, successful treatment of neuroblastoma (NB) remains a challenge. NB is the most common cancer in infants under 1 year of age, and accounts for approximately 10% of all pediatric cancers. Currently, children with high-risk NB exhibit a survival rate of 40–50%. The heterogeneous nature of NB makes development of effective therapeutic strategies challenging. Many preclinical models attempt to mimic the tumor phenotype and tumor microenvironment. In vivo mouse models, in the form of genetic, syngeneic, and xenograft mice, are advantageous as they replicated the complex tumor-stroma interactions and represent the gold standard for preclinical therapeutic testing. Traditional in vitro models, while high throughput, exhibit many limitations. The emergence of new tissue engineered models has the potential to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models for therapeutic testing. Therapeutics continue to evolve from traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies to biologically targeted therapies. These therapeutics act on both the tumor cells and other cells within the tumor microenvironment, making development of preclinical models that accurately reflect tumor heterogeneity more important than ever. In this review, we will discuss current in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing models, and their potential applications to therapeutic development.

NAMI-A and KP1019/1339, Two Iconic Ruthenium Anticancer Drug Candidates Face-to-Face: A Case Story in Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry

NAMI-A ((ImH)[trans-RuCl₄(dmso-S)(Im)], Im = imidazole) and KP1019/1339 (KP1019 = (IndH)[trans-RuCl₄(Ind)₂], Ind = indazole; KP1339 = Na[trans-RuCl₄(Ind)₂]) are two structurally related ruthenium(III) coordination compounds that have attracted a lot of attention in the medicinal inorganic chemistry scientific community as promising anticancer drug candidates. This has led to a considerable amount of studies on their respective chemico-biological features and to the eventual admission of both to clinical trials. The encouraging pharmacological performances qualified KP1019 mainly as a cytotoxic agent for the treatment of platinum-resistant colorectal cancers, whereas the non-cytotoxic NAMI-A has gained the reputation of being a very effective antimetastatic drug. A critical and strictly comparative analysis of the studies conducted so far on NAMI-A and KP1019 allows us to define the state of the art of these experimental ruthenium drugs in terms of the respective pharmacological profiles and potential clinical applications, and to gain some insight into the inherent molecular mechanisms. Despite their evident structural relatedness, deeply distinct biological and pharmacological profiles do emerge. Overall, these two iconic ruthenium complexes form an exemplary and unique case in the field of medicinal inorganic chemistry.

Induction of transferrin aggregation by indazolium [tetrachlorobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(iii)] (KP1019) and its biological function

Pre-incubation ofKP1019with transferrin leads to the formation of adducts/aggregates, which inhibit the cytotoxic properties ofKP1019.

Ruthenium(II)-Polypyridyl Compounds with π-Extended Nitrogen Donor Ligands Induce Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells by Triggering Caspase-3/7 Pathway

Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes exhibit antitumor properties that can be systematically tailored by means of adjusting the ligand environment. In this work, the effect of incorporating π-extended moieties into anionic N^∧O^- based chelating ligands on the cytotoxic properties of Ru compounds is explored. Four new Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(dphol)][PF₆] (1; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dphol = dibenzo[ a, c]phenazin-10-olate), [Ru(phen)₂(dphol)][PF₆] (2; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Ru(bpy)₂(hbtz)][PF₆] (3; hbtz = 2-(benzo[ d]thiazol-2-yl)phenolate), and [Ru(phen)₂(hbtz)][PF₆] (4) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity was investigated in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells, which revealed that 4 is the most cytotoxic compound (IC₅₀ = 0.8 μM) in the series including a control compound [Ru(bpy)₂(quo)][PF₆] (5; quo = 8-hydroxyquinolinate) and is nearly 8-fold more cytotoxic than cisplatin. An investigation of the mechanism of cell death led to the finding that compounds 1-4 disrupt the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ_m) in a concentration-dependent fashion, which is an event associated with the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Moreover, compound 4 triggers the activity of caspase-3/7, which eventually induces the apoptotic cellular death of A549 cells. Thus, increasing the overall lipophilicity of the Ru compounds by introducing π-extended moieties in the anionic N^∧O^- ligand is a successful strategy for realizing a new family of pro-apoptotic compounds with a [Ru^IIN₅O]⁺ coordination environment.

Targeting curcumin to specific tumour cell environments: the influence of ancillary ligands

Tumour-activation of prodrugs has the potential to improve the efficacy of anticancer agents while minimising systemic toxicity. Cobalt complexes are of interest in this respect as chaperones to deliver and release anticancer agents in the low oxygen, reducing environment of solid tumours. In addition to being able to release a cytotoxic ligand under the conditions of the tumour microenvironment, it is fundamental that the chaperone complex must also be able to penetrate through multiple cell layers to deliver the cytotoxin to all regions of the tumour. Herein, we report an investigation of the distribution and metabolism of two chaperone complexes of the anticancer agent curcumin within monolayer tumour cells and multicellular tumour spheroids. Using a combination of X-ray fluorescence microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate how the nature of the chaperone complex can profoundly influence the cellular uptake, distribution, and release mechanism of curcumin, providing key insights into the design of this class of prodrug.

Bioimaging of isosteric osmium and ruthenium anticancer agents by LA-ICP-MS

Two isosteric organometallic drug candidates revealed distinct in vivo antitumour activities and spatial distributions in mouse tissues.

[Ru(pipe)(dppb)(bipy)]PF6: A novel ruthenium complex that effectively inhibits ERK activation and cyclin D1 expression in A549 cells

Lung cancer is the most frequent type of cancer worldwide. In Brazil, only 14% of the patients diagnosed with lung cancer survived 5years in the last decades. Although improvements in the therapeutic approach, it is relevant to identify new chemotherapeutic agents. In this framework, ruthenium metal compounds emerge as a promising alternative to platinum-based compounds once they displayed lower cytotoxicity and more selectivity for tumor cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor potential of innovative ruthenium(II) complex, [Ru(pipe)(dppb)(bipy)]PF₆ (PIPE) on A549 cells, which is derived from non-small cell lung cancer. Results demonstrated that PIPE effectively reduced the viability and proliferation rate of A549 cells. When PIPE was used at 9μM there was increase in G0/G1 cell population with concomitant reduction in frequency of cells in S-phase, indicating cell cycle arrest in G1/S transition. Antiproliferative activity of PIPE was associated to its ability of reducing cyclin D1 expression and ERK phosphorylation levels. Cytotoxic activity of PIPE on A549 cells was observed when PIPE was used at 18μM, which was associated to its ability of inducing apoptosis by intrinsic pathway. Taken together, the data demonstrated that PIPE is a promising antitumor agent and further in vivo studies should be performed.

Nucleolin-targeted selenium nanocomposites with enhanced theranostic efficacy to antagonize glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is considered as the most lethal cancer, due to the inability of chemotherapeutic agents to reach the glioma core as well as the infiltration zone of the invasive glioma cells. Nanotechnology based delivery systems bring new hope to cancer targeted therapy and diagnosis owing to their enhancement of selective cellular uptake and cytotoxicity to cancer cells through various smart designs. We prepared a novel selenium-based composite nanosystem (QDs/Se@Ru(A)) surface functionalized with the AS1411 aptamer and loaded with quantum dots to realize selectivity against glioblastoma and enhance theranostic effects. This cancer targeted nanosystem significantly enhanced the cellular uptake in glioma cells through nucleolin mediated endocytosis, and increased selectivity between cancer and normal cells. The QDs/Se@Ru(A) nanosystem can also be used for spontaneous fluorescence of biological probes to explore their localization in cancer cells, because of the green fluorescent quantum dots loaded into the selenium nanoparticles. QDs/Se@Ru(A) promotes excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in glioma cells to induce DNA damage, thus activating diverse downstream signaling pathways, and inhibiting proliferation of U87 cells through the G2/M phase cycle. Thus, this study provides an effective strategy to design a theranostic agent to simultaneously realize cell imaging and therapy for glioblastoma treatment.

Electronic State of Sodium trans-[Tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (NKP-1339) in Tumor, Liver and Kidney Tissue of a SW480-bearing Mouse

Ruthenium complexes are promising candidates for anticancer agents, especially NKP-1339 (sodium trans-[tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)]), which is on the edge to clinical applications. The anticancer mechanism seems to be tightly linked to the redox chemistry but despite progress in human clinical trials the in vivo Ru oxidation state and the coordination of Ru remains unclear. The Ru-based anticancer drug NKP-1339 was studied applying XANES (Cl K- and Ru L_2,3-edges) in tumor, kidney and liver tissue of a SW480 bearing mouse. Based on coordination charge and 3D XANES plots containing a series of model compounds as well as pre-edge analysis of the ligand Cl K-edge it is suggested that NKP-1339 remains in its +III oxidation state after 24 hours and at least one of the four chlorido ligands remain covalently bound to the Ru ion showing a biotransformation from Ru^IIIN₂Cl₄ to Ru^IIICl_x(N/O)_6−x (X = 1 or 2).