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Zhan T, Song W, Jing G, Yuan Y, Kang N, Zhang Q. Zebrafish live imaging: a strong weapon in anticancer drug discovery and development. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:1807-1835. [PMID: 38514602 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Developing anticancer drugs is a complex and time-consuming process. The inability of current laboratory models to reflect important aspects of the tumor in vivo limits anticancer medication research. Zebrafish is a rapid, semi-automated in vivo screening platform that enables the use of non-invasive imaging methods to monitor morphology, survival, developmental status, response to drugs, locomotion, or other behaviors. Zebrafish models are widely used in drug discovery and development for anticancer drugs, especially in conjunction with live imaging techniques. Herein, we concentrated on the use of zebrafish live imaging in anticancer therapeutic research, including drug screening, efficacy assessment, toxicity assessment, and mechanism studies. Zebrafish live imaging techniques have been used in numerous studies, but this is the first time that these techniques have been comprehensively summarized and compared side by side. Finally, we discuss the hypothesis of Zebrafish Composite Model, which may provide future directions for zebrafish imaging in the field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancheng Zhan
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanqian Song
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo Jing
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongkang Yuan
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Kang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Boubaker G, Bernal A, Vigneswaran A, Imhof D, de Sousa MCF, Hänggeli KPA, Haudenschild N, Furrer J, Păunescu E, Desiatkina O, Hemphill A. In vitro and in vivo activities of a trithiolato-diRuthenium complex conjugated with sulfadoxine against the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100544. [PMID: 38703737 PMCID: PMC11087982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Organometallic compounds, including Ruthenium complexes, have been widely developed as anti-cancer chemotherapeutics, but have also attracted much interest as potential anti-parasitic drugs. Recently hybrid drugs composed of organometallic Ruthenium moieties that were complexed to different antimicrobial agents were synthesized. One of these compounds, a trithiolato-diRuthenium complex (RU) conjugated to sulfadoxine (SDX), inhibited proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites grown in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) monolayers with an IC50 < 150 nM, while SDX and the non-modified RU complex applied either individually or as an equimolar mixture were much less potent. In addition, conjugation of SDX to RU lead to decreased HFF cytotoxicity. RU-SDX did not impair the in vitro proliferation of murine splenocytes at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 μM but had an impact at 2 μM, and induced zebrafish embryotoxicity at 20 μM, but not at 2 or 0.2 μM. RU-SDX acted parasitostatic but not parasiticidal, and induced transient ultrastructural changes in the mitochondrial matrix of tachyzoites early during treatment. While other compounds that target the mitochondrion such as the uncouplers FCCP and CCCP and another trithiolato-Ruthenium complex conjugated to adenine affected the mitochondrial membrane potential, no such effect was detected for RU-SDX. Evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of RU-SDX in a murine T. gondii oocyst infection model comprised of non-pregnant outbred CD1 mice showed no effects on the cerebral parasite burden, but reduced parasite load in the eyes and in heart tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Alice Bernal
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Anitha Vigneswaran
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Cristina Ferreira de Sousa
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Noé Haudenschild
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Julien Furrer
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Emilia Păunescu
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Oksana Desiatkina
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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3
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Maximiano I, Henriques C, Teixeira RG, Marques F, Valente A, Antunes AMM. Lead to hit ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl anticancer compounds: Cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells, metabolic stability and metabolite profiling. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 251:112436. [PMID: 38016328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The successful choice of hit compounds during drug development programs involves the integration of structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies with pharmacokinetic determinations, including metabolic stability assays and metabolite profiling. A panel of nine ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl (RuCp) compounds with the general formula [Ru(η5-C5H4R)(PPh3)(bipyR')]+ (with R = H, CHO, CH2OH; R' = H, CH3, CH2OH, CH2Biotin) has been tested against hormone-dependent MCF-7 and triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In general, all compounds showed important cytotoxicity against both cancer cell lines and were able to inhibit the formation of MDA-MB-231 colonies in a dose-dependent manner, while showing selectivity for cancer cells over normal fibroblasts. Among them, four compounds stood out as lead structures to be further studied. Cell distribution assays revealed their preference for the accumulation at cell membrane (Ru quantification by ICP-MS) and the mechanism of cell death seemed to be mediated by apoptosis. Potential structural liabilities of lead compounds were subsequently flagged upon in vitro metabolic stability assays and metabolite profiling. The implementation of this integrated strategy led to the selection of RT151 as a promising hit compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Maximiano
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal; Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Catarina Henriques
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal; Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Ricardo G Teixeira
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C(2)TN) and Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Bobadela LRS 2695-066, Portugal
| | - Andreia Valente
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.
| | - Alexandra M M Antunes
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal.
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4
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Riisom M, Morrow SJ, Herbert CD, Tremlett WDJ, Astin JW, Jamieson SMF, Hartinger CG. In vitro and in vivo accumulation of the anticancer Ru complexes [Ru II(cym)(HQ)Cl] and [Ru II(cym)(PCA)Cl]Cl. J Biol Inorg Chem 2023; 28:767-775. [PMID: 37962611 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-023-02026-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The cellular accumulation and the underlying mechanisms for the two ruthenium-based anticancer complexes [RuII(cym)(HQ)Cl] 1 (cym = η6-p-cymene, HQ = 8-hydroxyquinoline) and [RuII(cym)(PCA)Cl]Cl 2 (PCA = N-fluorophenyl-2-pyridinecarbothioamide) were investigated in HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells. The results showed that the cellular accumulation of both complexes increased over time and with higher concentrations, and that 2 accumulates in greater quantities in cells than 1. Inhibition studies of selected cellular accumulation mechanisms indicated that both 1 and 2 may be transported into the cells by both passive diffusion and active transporters, similar to cisplatin. Efflux experiments indicated that 1 and 2 are subjected to efflux through a mechanism that does not involve p-glycoprotein, as addition of verapamil did not make any difference. Exploring the influence of the Cu transporter by addition of CuCl2 resulted in a higher accumulation of 1 and 2 whilst the amount of Pt detected was slightly reduced when cells were treated with cisplatin. Complexes 1 and 2 were further explored in zebrafish where accumulation and distribution were determined with ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS. The results correlated with the in vitro observations and zebrafish treated with 2 showed higher Ru contents than those treated with 1. The distribution studies suggested that both complexes mainly accumulated in the intestines of the zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Riisom
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Stuart J Morrow
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Caitlin D Herbert
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - William D J Tremlett
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan W Astin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Stephen M F Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Christian G Hartinger
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
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5
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Teixeira R, Salaroglio IC, Oliveira NFB, Sequeira JGN, Fontrodona X, Romero I, Machuqueiro M, Tomaz AI, Garcia MH, Riganti C, Valente A. Fighting Multidrug Resistance with Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Compounds: Unveiling the Mechanism of P-gp Inhibition. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14080-14094. [PMID: 37616241 PMCID: PMC10614197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The search for more effective and selective drugs to overcome cancer multidrug resistance is urgent. As such, a new series of ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl ("RuCp") compounds with the general formula [Ru(η5-C5H4R)(4,4'-R'-2,2'-bipy)(PPh3)] were prepared and fully characterized. All compounds were evaluated toward non-small cell lung cancer cells with different degrees of cisplatin sensitivity (A549, NCI-H2228, Calu-3, and NCI-H1975), showing better cytotoxicity than the first-line chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. Compounds 2 and 3 (R' = -OCH3; R = CHO (2) or CH2OH (3)) further inhibited the activity of P-gp and MRP1 efflux pumps by impairing their catalytic activity. Molecular docking calculations identified the R-site P-gp pocket as the preferred one, which was further validated using site-directed mutagenesis experiments in P-gp. Altogether, our results unveil the first direct evidence of the interaction between P-gp and "RuCp" compounds in the modulation of P-gp activity and establish them as valuable candidates to circumvent cancer MDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo
G. Teixeira
- Centro
de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and
Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Nuno F. B. Oliveira
- BioISI:
Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João G. N. Sequeira
- BioISI:
Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Xavier Fontrodona
- Departament
de Química and Serveis Tècnics de Recerca, Universitat de Girona, C/M. Aurèlia Campmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Isabel Romero
- Departament
de Química and Serveis Tècnics de Recerca, Universitat de Girona, C/M. Aurèlia Campmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- BioISI:
Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Tomaz
- Centro
de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and
Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M. Helena Garcia
- Centro
de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and
Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department
of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Molecular
Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Andreia Valente
- Centro
de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and
Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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6
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Xu X, Dai F, Mao Y, Zhang K, Qin Y, Zheng J. Metallodrugs in the battle against non-small cell lung cancer: unlocking the potential for improved therapeutic outcomes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1242488. [PMID: 37727388 PMCID: PMC10506097 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1242488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard-of-care but has limitations including toxicity and resistance. Metal complexes of gold, ruthenium, and other metals have emerged as promising alternatives. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of metallodrugs for NSCLC. Bibliometric analysis reveals growing interest in elucidating mechanisms, developing targeted therapies, and synergistic combinations. Classification of metallodrugs highlights platinum, gold, and ruthenium compounds, as well as emerging metals. Diverse mechanisms include DNA damage, redox modulation, and immunomodulation. Preclinical studies demonstrate cytotoxicity and antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, providing proof-of-concept. Clinical trials indicate platinums have utility but resistance remains problematic. Non-platinum metallodrugs exhibit favorable safety but modest single agent efficacy to date. Drug delivery approaches like nanoparticles show potential to enhance therapeutic index. Future directions include optimization of metal-based complexes, elucidation of resistance mechanisms, biomarker development, and combination therapies to fully realize the promise of metallodrugs for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhi Xu
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Feng Dai
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yiting Mao
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ying Qin
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiwei Zheng
- School of Stomatology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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7
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Brás AR, Fernandes P, Moreira T, Morales-Sanfrutos J, Sabidó E, Antunes AMM, Valente A, Preto A. New Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Affect Colorectal Cancer Hallmarks Showing High Therapeutic Potential. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1731. [PMID: 37376178 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most deadly cancers worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies have low success rates and several side effects. This relevant clinical problem requires the discovery of new and more effective therapeutic alternatives. Ruthenium drugs have arisen as one of the most promising metallodrugs, due to their high selectivity to cancer cells. In this work we studied, for the first time, the anticancer properties and mechanisms of action of four lead Ru-cyclopentadienyl compounds, namely PMC79, PMC78, LCR134 and LCR220, in two CRC-derived cell lines (SW480 and RKO). Biological assays were performed on these CRC cell lines to evaluate cellular distribution, colony formation, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and motility, as well as cytoskeleton and mitochondrial alterations. Our results show that all the compounds displayed high bioactivity and selectivity, as shown by low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) against CRC cells. We observed that all the Ru compounds have different intracellular distributions. In addition, they inhibit to a high extent the proliferation of CRC cells by decreasing clonogenic ability and inducing cell cycle arrest. PMC79, LCR134, and LCR220 also induce apoptosis, increase the levels of reactive oxygen species, lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, induce actin cytoskeleton alterations, and inhibit cellular motility. A proteomic study revealed that these compounds cause modifications in several cellular proteins associated with the phenotypic alterations observed. Overall, we demonstrate that Ru compounds, especially PMC79 and LCR220, display promising anticancer activity in CRC cells with a high potential to be used as new metallodrugs for CRC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Brás
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Fernandes
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Tiago Moreira
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Julia Morales-Sanfrutos
- Proteomics Unit, Centre de Regulació Genòmica (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Catalonia, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Sabidó
- Proteomics Unit, Centre de Regulació Genòmica (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Catalonia, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandra M M Antunes
- Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE), Institute of Molecular Sciences, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia Valente
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Preto
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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8
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M M, Gadre S, Chhatar S, Chakraborty G, Ahmed N, Patra C, Patra M. Potent Ruthenium-Ferrocene Bimetallic Antitumor Antiangiogenic Agent That Circumvents Platinum Resistance: From Synthesis and Mechanistic Studies to In Vivo Evaluation in Zebrafish. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16353-16371. [PMID: 36459415 PMCID: PMC7616001 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Emergence of resistance in cancer cells and dose-limiting side effects severely limit the widespread use of platinum (Pt) anticancer drugs. Multi-action hybrid anticancer agents that are constructed by merging two or more pharmacophores offer the prospect of circumventing issues of Pt drugs. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and in-depth biological evaluation of a ruthenium-ferrocene (Ru-Fc) bimetallic agent [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(1,1,1-trifluoro-4-oxo-4-ferrocenyl-but-2-en-2-olate)Cl] and its five analogues. Along with aquation/anation chemistry, we evaluated the in vitro antitumor potency, Pt cross-resistance profile, and in vivo antiangiogenic properties. A structure activity analysis was performed to understand the impact of Fc, CF3, and p-cymene groups on the anticancer potency of the Ru-Fc hybrid. Finally, in addition to assessing cellular uptake and intracellular distribution, we demonstrated that the Ru-Fc hybrid binds to nucleophilic biomolecules and produces reactive oxygen species, which causes mitochondrial dysfunction and induces ER stress, leading to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-mediated necroptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manikandan M
- Medicinal Chemistry and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
| | - Shubhankar Gadre
- Medicinal Chemistry and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
| | - Sushanta Chhatar
- Medicinal Chemistry and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
| | - Gourav Chakraborty
- Department of Developmental Biology, Agharkar Research Institute, G G Agarkar Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
| | - Naushad Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502085, India
| | - Chinmoy Patra
- Department of Developmental Biology, Agharkar Research Institute, G G Agarkar Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
| | - Malay Patra
- Medicinal Chemistry and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
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9
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Biotinylated Polymer-Ruthenium Conjugates: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071388. [PMID: 35890283 PMCID: PMC9315599 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The need for new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer is a clinically relevant problem that needs to be solved. Using a multi-targeting approach to enhance cancer cell uptake, we synthesized a new family of ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes envisaging simultaneous active and passive targeting, using biotin and polylactide (PLA), respectively. All compounds with the general formula, [Ru(η5-CpR)(P)(2,2′-bipy-4,4′-PLA-biotin)][CF3SO3], where R is -H or -CH3 and P is P(C6H5)3, P(C6H4F)3 or P(C6H4OCH3)3, were tested against triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 showing IC50 values between 2.3–14.6 µM, much better than cisplatin, a classical chemotherapeutic drug, in the same experimental conditions. We selected compound 1 (where R is H and P is P(C6H5)3), for further studies as it was the one showing the best biological effect. In a competitive assay with biotin, we showed that cell uptake via SMVT receptors seems to be the main transport route into the cells for this compound, validating the strategy of including biotin in the design of the compound. The effects of the compound on the hallmarks of cancer show that the compound leads to apoptosis, interferes with proliferation by affecting the formation of cell colonies in a dose-dependent manner and disrupts the cell cytoskeleton. Preliminary in vivo assays in N: NIH(S)II-nu/nu mice show that the concentrations of compound 1 used in this experiment (maximum 4 mg/kg) are safe to use in vivo, although some signs of liver toxicity are already found. In addition, the new compound shows a tendency to control tumor growth, although not significantly. In sum, we showed that compound 1 shows promising anti-cancer effects, bringing a new avenue for triple-negative breast cancer therapy.
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