Novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes targets NFkappaB signaling pathway to induce apoptosis and inhibit metabolism of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Computational Study of Bis-(1-(Benzoyl)-3-Methyl Thiourea) Platinum (II) Complex Derivatives as Anticancer Candidates

Background

The increasing incidence of cancer every year has resulted in cancer becoming one of the most common causes of death in the world. The most common types of cancer are breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Thiourea is one of the compounds that have anticancer effects, and its activity can be increased by structural modifications, one of which involves making a Bis-(1-(benzoyl)-3-methyl thiourea) platinum (II) metal complex.

Purpose

This study aims to obtain platinum (II)-thiourea complex compounds that have a more stable interaction as an anticancer agent compared to cisplatin.

Methods

The methods used are computational studies with molecular docking, simulation of molecular dynamics, and prediction of pharmacokinetics and toxicity.

Results

Based on the molecular docking of the platinum (II)-thiourea complex which has the most stable interaction with lower binding energy than the native ligand and the cisplatin, namely Bis-(3-methyl-1-(naphthalene-2-carbonyl)thiourea)) Platinum (II) against breast cancer receptors (3ERT) and lung cancer (2ITO) and compounds Bis-(1-(3-chlorobenzoyl)-3-methylthiourea) Platinum (II) against prostate cancer receptors (1Z95). The evaluation results of the stability of the interaction using a 50 ns molecular dynamic simulation showed that the Bis-(1-benzoyl-3-methylthiourea) Platinum (II) which binds to the prostate cancer receptor (1Z95) has the most stable interaction. Pharmacokinetic prediction results show that the platinum (II)-thiourea complex has a good pharmacokinetic profile, but there are several compounds that are mutagenic and hepatotoxic.

Conclusion

The Bis-(1-(3,4-dichlorobenzoyl)-3-methyl thiourea) platinum (II) compounds could be a suitable anticancer agent for the lungs.

A novel series of pyrazole-platinum(II) complexes as potential anti-cancer agents that induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Six novel compounds of platinum(II) with pyrazole derivatives PtPz1-PtPz6 were synthesised and characterised (PtPz1 - [Pt₂N-hydroksymethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄; PtPz2 - [Pt₂3,5-dimethylpyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄; PtPz3 - [Pt₂3,4-dimethylpyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄; PtPz4 - [Pt₂pyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄; PtPz5- [Pt₂5-methylpyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄; PtPz6 - [Pt₂N-ethylpyrazole₄(berenil)₂]Cl₄). The cytotoxic activity of these complexes against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was determined using the MTT assay. Evaluation of apoptosis induction was done with the Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay. In addition, using a flow cytometer, we determined the influence of test compounds on the cell cycle and caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity. The obtained results of caspase activity were confirmed by cell imaging. Moreover, using the flow cytometer, the effects of the test compounds on mitochondrial potential change were assessed. The test results showed that novel pyrazole-platinum(II) complexes exhibited stronger anti-proliferative activity against two breast cancer cell lines than reference cisplatin. Compounds PtPz1, PtPz2, and PtPz3 with methyl substituents at the pyrazole ring showed stronger activity than pyrazole or ethylpyrazole containing complexes. Studies have shown that inhibition of cell survival occurs by arresting the G1 cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. Our analysis associated with the response of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells to treatment with PtPz1-PtPz6 showed that it leads the cells through the external and intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway via indirect DNA damage.

Low glucose dependent decrease of apoptosis and induction of autophagy in breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Cancer cells have developed a number of adaptation mechanisms involving the signal activation of the transduction pathways, which promotes the progression and metastasis. Our results showed that the percentage of apoptotic MCF-7 cells incubated in the low glucose medium for 48 h was lower in comparison to those cultured in the high glucose medium, despite the high expression of the proapoptotic transcription factor-CHOP. Furthermore, the MCF-7 cells incubated in the low glucose medium for 48 h showed a higher expression of NF-κB p100/p52 subunits compared to cells incubated in the high glucose medium. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that the shortage of glucose strongly induces autophagy in MCF-7 cells. The activation of this process is not associated with the changes in the expression of mTOR kinase. We suggest, that the antiapoptotic chaperone ORP150 induction, transcription factor NF-κB2 activation, and increased autophagy constitute mechanisms protecting the MCF-7 cells against apoptosis.

Antitumor activity of a rhenium (I)-diselenoether complex in experimental models of human breast cancer

Rhenium (I)-diselenother (Re-diselenoether) is a water soluble metal-based compound, combining one atom of rhenium and two atoms of selenium. This compound has been reported to exhibit marked activities against several solid tumor cell lines. We now disclose an improved synthesis of this complex. The Re-diselenoether showed a potent inhibitory effect on MDA-MB231 cell division in vitro, which lasted when the complex was no longer present in the culture. Re-diselenoether induced a remarkable reduction of the volume of the primitive breast tumors and of the pulmonary metastases without clinical signs of toxicity, in mice-bearing a MDA-MB231 Luc+ tumor, orthotopically transplanted, after a daily oral administration at the dose of 10 mg/kg/d. Interestingly, an antagonism was observed when cisplatin was administered as a single i.p. injection 1 week after the end of the Re-diselenoether administration. In an effort to gain insight of the mechanisms of action of Re-diselenoether complex, interaction with 9-methylguanine as a nucleic acid base model was studied. We have shown that Re-diselenoether gave both mono- and bis-guanine Re adducts, the species assumed to be responsible for the DNA intrastrand lesions.

Effects of novel dinuclear cisplatinum(II) complexes on the electric properties of human breast cancer cells

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of cisplatin and novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes on the electrical properties of the membrane and the level of lipid peroxidation in the human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. The basal electrical surface properties of cells are known. Changes in cell function may affect these surface properties, and those changes can be detected by electrokinetic measurements. The surface charge density of the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were measured as a function of pH. A four-component equilibrium model was used to describe the interaction between the solution ions and the breast cancer cell surface. The experimental and the theoretical charge variation curves of the breast cancer cells at pH 2.5-9 were in agreement. Measurements of the cellular malondialdehyde levels with high performance liquid chromatography were used to determine the extent of lipid peroxidation. The acid and base functional group concentrations and average association constants with hydroxyl ions were smaller in breast cancer cell membranes treated with cisplatin or novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes compared with untreated cancer cells, and the average association constants with hydrogen ions were higher. The levels of lipid peroxidation products in breast cancer cells treated with cisplatin or novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes were also higher than in untreated cancer cells.