Optimization of Antiproliferative Properties of Triimine Copper(II) Complexes

J Med Chem. 2024 Nov 14;67(21):19475-19502. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01806. Epub 2024 Nov 4.

Abstract

Cu(II) complexes with 2,2':6',2″-terpyridines (terpy) and 2,6-bis(thiazol-2-yl)pyridines (dtpy) with 1- or 2-naphtyl and methoxy-naphtyl were synthesized to elucidate the impact of the triimine core, naphtyl linking mode, and presence of methoxy groups on the antiproliferative activity of [CuCl2(Ln)]. Their antiproliferative effect was analyzed in ovarian (A2780) and colorectal (HCT116) carcinomas and colorectal carcinoma resistant to doxorubicin (HCT116-DoxR) cell lines and in normal human fibroblasts. Among all complexes, the 1- and 2-naphtyl substituted terpy Cu(II) complexes (Cu1a and Cu1b) showed the strongest cytotoxicity, namely, in HCT116-DoxR 2Dcells and were also capable of inducing the loss of cell viability in 3D HCT116-DoxR spheroids. Their intracellular localization, capability to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interaction with DNA (nonintercalative mode) trigger oxidative DNA cleavage leading to cell death by apoptosis and autophagy. Cu1a and Cu1b do not show in vivo toxicity in a chicken embryo and can interact with bovine serum albumin (BSA).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Coordination Complexes* / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes* / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes* / pharmacology
  • Copper* / chemistry
  • Copper* / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Imines / chemical synthesis
  • Imines / chemistry
  • Imines / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Copper
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Imines
  • Pyridines
  • Doxorubicin