In vitro and in vivo evaluation of water-soluble iminophosphorane ruthenium(II) compounds. A potential chemotherapeutic agent for triple negative breast cancer

J Med Chem. 2014 Dec 11;57(23):9995-10012. doi: 10.1021/jm5012337. Epub 2014 Nov 26.

Abstract

A series of organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes containing iminophosphorane ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Cationic compounds with chloride as counterion are soluble in water (70-100 mg/mL). Most compounds (especially highly water-soluble 2) are more cytotoxic to a number of human cancer cell lines than cisplatin. Initial mechanistic studies indicate that the cell death type for these compounds is mainly through canonical or caspase-dependent apoptosis, nondependent on p53, and that the compounds do not interact with DNA or inhibit protease cathepsin B. In vivo experiments of 2 on MDA-MB-231 xenografts in NOD.CB17-Prkdc SCID/J mice showed an impressive tumor reduction (shrinkage) of 56% after 28 days of treatment (14 doses of 5 mg/kg every other day) with low systemic toxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies showed a quick absorption of 2 in plasma with preferential accumulation in the breast tumor tissues when compared to kidney and liver, which may explain its high efficacy in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis*
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacokinetics
  • Coordination Complexes / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Phosphoranes / chemical synthesis
  • Phosphoranes / therapeutic use
  • Ruthenium / therapeutic use*
  • Solubility
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Water

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Phosphoranes
  • Water
  • Ruthenium