Solution behaviour and biological activity of bisamidine complexes of platinum(II)

A series of platinum(II) amidine complexes were previously prepared with the aim of obtaining a new class of platinum-based antitumour drugs. This series includes compounds of the type cis--[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Me}2] and trans-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Me}2] (1, 2), cis-[PtCl2{E-HN=C(NMe2)Me}2] and trans-[PtCl2{E-HN=C(NMe2)Me}2] (3, 4), cis-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Ph}2] and trans-[PtCl2{Z-HN=C(NHMe)Ph}2] (5, 6), and cis-[PtCl2{HN=C(NMe2)Ph}2] and trans-[PtCl2{HN=C(NMe2)Ph}2] (7, 8). The reactions with dimethyl sulfoxide were studied for complexes 5-8; the formation of cationic species containing coordinated dimethyl sulfoxide was demonstrated by NMR experiments and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In this work, the amidine platinum(II) complexes were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity on a panel of various human cancer cell lines. The results indicate that the benzamidine complex 8 was the most effective derivative also circumventing acquired cisplatin resistance as demonstrated by chemosensitivity tests performed on cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cell lines. The studies concerning the cellular DNA damage on both parental chemosensitive and resistant sublines suggest for the new trans-amidine complex a different mechanism of action compared with that exhibited by cisplatin.     

The cellular distribution and oxidation state of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) antitumour complexes in cancer cells

The cellular distribution of platinum in A2780 ovarian cancer cells treated with cisplatin and platinum(IV) complexes with a range of reduction potentials has been examined using elemental analysis (synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray emission). The cellular distribution of platinum(IV) drugs after 24 h is similar to that of cisplatin, consistent with the majority of administered platinum(IV) drugs being reduced. Micro-X-ray absorption near-edge spectra of cells treated with cisplatin and platinum(IV) complexes confirmed the reduction of platinum(IV) to platinum(II). In cells treated, the most difficult to reduce complex, cis,trans,cis-[PtCl₂(OH)₂(NH₃)₂], platinum(IV) was detected in the cells along with platinum(II). The observations are in accordance with the relative ease of reduction of the platinum(IV) complexes used and support the requirement of reduction for activation of platinum(IV) complexes.Abbreviations en ethane-1,2-diamine - GM growth medium - PBS phosphate buffered saline - RPMI Roswell Park Memorial Institute - SRIXE synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray emission - XAFS X-ray absorption fine structure - XANES X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy     

Terpene conjugates of diaminedichloridoplatinum(II) complexes: antiproliferative effects in HL-60 leukemia, 518A2 melanoma, and HT-29 colon cancer cells

Twenty-eight [6-(aminomethyl)nicotinate]dichloridoplatinum(II) complexes 1 esterified with various terpene alcohols either directly or via alkyl spacers were tested for antiproliferative activity in human 518A2 melanoma and HL-60 leukemia cells. Generally, conjugates with menthanes and polycyclic sesquiterpenes attached via propane-1,2-diyl spacers were most active. In the melanoma cells, the propane-1,2-diyl-spacered conjugates of (-)-menthol (1a(2')), (+)-neomenthol (1b(2')), (-)-carvomenthol (1h(2')), and (-)-isolongifolol (1n(2')) displayed growth inhibition at IC(50)<4 microM which is ten times smaller than that of cisplatin. The stationary diamino ligand was also crucial. The (-)-menthyl ester complexes with 2,3-diaminopropanoate (9a) and 2,4-diaminobutanoate (10a) ligands caused a greater and persistent growth inhibition in HT-29 colon cancer cells upon long-term exposure when compared to the 6-(aminomethyl)nicotinate analogue 1a. The cedrenyl ester 1l and the menthoxyisopropyl ester 1a(2') proved most efficacious in all three tumor cell lines. The DNA binding of complexes 1 was assessed by electrophoretic band-shift experiments and found correlated to the terpene structure but not to the observed antiproliferative activities.     

Cytotoxicity of cis-platinum(II) cycloaliphatic amidine complexes: Ring size and solvent effects on the biological activity

A series of new platinum(II) amidine derivatives of the type cis-[PtCl₂{Z-NHC(NHR)Me}₂] (R = cyclopropyl, 1; cyclopentyl, 2; cyclohexyl, 3) were prepared in high yield by addition of the corresponding cyclic aliphatic amine RNH₂ to the coordinated acetonitrile ligands in cis-[PtCl₂(NCMe)₂]. The solution behaviour of 1–3 has been studied in DMSO, PEG 400 (polyethylene glycol) and PEG-DME 500 (polyethylene glycol dimethylether). The amidine complexes 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against a panel of human tumor cell lines containing examples of cervix (HeLa), breast (MCF7), lung (A549) and colon (HCT-15) cancer. Moreover, the amidine complexes were tested for their cytotoxicity against normal human fibroblasts (HFF-1). For comparison purposes, the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was examined under the same experimental conditions. The results obtained showed that PEG and PEG-DME behave as good solvents to carry out biological assays with platinum complexes which are water-insoluble and unstable in DMSO. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibited a biological activity comparable to that of cisplatin.     

Crystal structures of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with the free radical 4-aminoTEMPO

Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds containing the free radical 4-aminoTEMPO (4amTEMPO) were synthesized and characterised by X-ray diffraction methods. The disubstituted complexes cis- and trans-Pt(4amTEMPO)₂I₂ were studied. The trans isomer was prepared from the isomerisation of the cis analogue. The two Pd(II) compounds trans-Pd(4amTEMPO)₂X₂ (X = Cl and I) were also characterised by crystallographic methods. A mixed-ligand complex cis-Pt(DMSO)(4amTEMPO)Cl₂ was synthesized from the isomerisation of the trans isomer in hot water. Its crystal structure was also determined. In all the complexes, the 4amTEMPO ligand is bonded to the metal through the -NH₂ group, since the nitroxide O atom is not a good donor atom for the soft Pt(II) and Pd(II) metals. The conformation of the 4-aminoTEMPO ligand was compared to those of the few reported structures in the literature.     

Synthesis and reactivity of diphosphino Pt(II) silanolate complexes as molecular models of the interaction of platinum particles with silica

A series of di- and monosubstituted cis-platinum(II) silanolate complexes, Pt(OSiR₃)₂(dppe) (R=Et, 1; R=Me, 2) and Pt(OSiR₃)Cl(dppe) (R=Et, 3; R=ⁱPr, 4) where dppe is 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, have been isolated and characterised spectroscopically. Complex 1 does not react with CO and H₂ under anhydrous conditions, but the complexes Pt{C(O)OCH₃)}₂(dppe) (6) and Pt(CO₃)(dppe) (7) have been isolated bubbling CO in methanol and CO₂ in moist benzene solutions of 1, respectively. The behaviour of 1 towards water or methanol is discussed on the basis of ¹H, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic data. The new complex Pt{S₂C(OSiEt₃)₂}(dppe) (8) has been isolated by reaction of 1 with CS₂ in benzene solution. This reactivity would suggest a high sensitivity towards water, but not towards H₂ or CO, of the bonding of slightly oxidised platinum particles with silanol groups of silica surface.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and structural characterisation of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with 1,3,5-pyrazole derived ligands. Rotation around the metal-N bond

Reactions of ligands 1-ethyl-5-methyl-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (L¹) and 5-methyl-1-octyl-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (L²) with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and K₂PtCl₄ gave complexes trans-[MCl₂(L)₂] (L = L¹, L²). The new complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The NMR study of the complex [PdCl₂(L¹)₂], in CDCl₃ solution, is consistent with a very slow rotation of ligands around the Pd-N bond, so that two conformational isomers can be observed in solution (syn and anti). Different behaviour is observed for complexes [PdCl₂(L²)₂] and [PtCl₂(L)₂] (L = L¹, L²), which present an isomer in solution at room temperature (anti). The crystal structure of [PdCl₂(L¹)₂] complex is described, where the Pd(II) presents a square planar geometry with the ligands coordinated in a trans disposition.     

Water soluble platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes of alkyl sulfonated phosphines

The reactions of the alkylsulfonated phosphines LM=Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSO₃Na/K (n=2, 3, 4) with K₂PtCl₄ and K₂PdCl₄ have been studied in homogeneous aqueous solution as a function of pH. In homogeneous acidic solution the protonated phosphines react to give cis- and trans-PtCl₂(LH)₂. The biphasic reaction between 1,5-cyclooctadiene platinum(II) chloride in dichloromethane and acidified aqueous LNa/K gives a higher proportion of the cis isomer. In neutral solution the initial reaction to give [PtCl(LNa/K)₃]⁺Cl⁻ is followed by slow formation of cis-PtCl₂(LNa/K)₂. K₂PdCl₄ reacts more rapidly to give PdCl₂(LNa/K)₂. In homogeneous alkaline solution rapid oxidation of the phosphine occurs with only small amounts of platinum complex being observable. The biphasic reaction yields phosphine oxide in the aqueous layer and a small amount of the chelate complexes PtL₂ in the organic. Representative complexes have been isolated and characterised and the mechanisms for the reactions discussed. The electrospray mass spectra of solutions of the isolated complexes have been recorded in both positive and negative ionisation modes. The positive ionisation spectra are complicated, but platinum and palladium containing ions derived from loss of chloride, H⁺ and HCl are observed in the negative ionisation spectra.     

The platinum complexes with histamine: Pt(II)(Hist)Cl2, Pt(II)(Iodo-Hist)Cl2 and Pt(IV)(Hist)2Cl2

The Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with histamine were calculated by using more than 20 DFT functionals and various basis sets. Based on the comparison between the X-ray and theoretical geometrical parameters of the Pt(II)(Hist)Cl₂ complex the MPW1PW91, OPW91 and SVWN5 functionals combined with the 6-311G^∗∗ basis set for non-metallic and SDD (ECP) basis set for platinum were found to yield the most satisfactory agreement. The structure of the Pt(II) complex with iodohistamine important for pharmacy, so far isolated only in minute amounts, was predicted by using the MPW1PW91 functional. Comparison of the theoretical NMR chemical shifts of the Pt(II)(Hist)Cl₂ complex with those found experimentally have shown that the theoretical ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts are in plausible agreement with the experimental ones, whereas the theoretical ¹⁹⁵Pt chemical shifts fit the experimental values only when the relativistic approach is applied within the ZORA formalism. We confirmed suitability of the three selected functionals for reproduction of the experimental structure of Pt complexes at fourth oxidation state by using the cis- and ions as models. Finally, with the selected theoretical methods, the structures and stabilities of four Pt(IV)(Hist)₂Cl₂ complex isomers were predicted.     

Chloro and acetato complexes of platinum(II) with functionalized thioethers

The chloro complexes [PtCl₂(RSR′)₂] (1-10) (RSR′ = MeSCH₂C(O)OMe, 1; MeSCH₂C(O)OEt, 2; MeSCH₂C(O)Omenthyl(−), 3; MeSCH₂CH₂C(O)OMe, 4; , 5; EtSCH₂C(O)Me, 6; MeSCH(Me)C(O)Me, 7; MeSPh, 8; MeS-o-C₆H₄Me, 9; and MeS-o-C₆H₄Et, 10) are obtained in high yield (63-90%) by reaction of [PtCl₂(PhCN)₂] with the proper thioether in 1/2 molar ratio, in anhydrous chloroform, at reflux under argon for ca. 10 h. The X-ray crystal structure of [PtCl₂(MeS-o-C₆H₄Me)₂] (9) shows an almost regular trans square planar geometry (triclinic, space group , a 6.806(1), b 7.789(2), c 10.085(3) Å, α 101.80(2)°, β 69.55(2)°, γ 115.27(2)°, R(F_o) 0.023, ). The dichloro complexes react with silver acetate in a complex manner, which depends on the nature of the thioether, and only with RSR′ = MeSPh the simple diacetato complex [Pt(OAc)₂(RSR′)₂] is obtained as the major product.     

The microwave synthesis of platinum(II) phosphine complexes

The microwave synthesis of a series of platinum(II) phosphine complexes is reported. The complexes dppePtCl₂ (dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), dpppPtCl₂ (dppp = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane), dppmPtCl₂ (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) and cis-(Ph₃P)₂PtCl₂ are synthesized from the reaction of potassium tetrachloroplatinate(II) and the phosphine. The isolated yields are 65% or better.     

Mono- and polynuclear complexes of Pt(II) with polypyridyl ligands. Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization and cytotoxic activity

An array of poly- and mononuclear complexes of Pt(II) with polypyridyl ligands is reported. The framework complexes [(PtCl(2))(2)(bpp)(2)(micro-PtCl(2))](H(2)O)(2) [bpp=2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine], [PtCl(2)(micro-tptz)PtClNCPh]Cl [tptz=2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine], and mononuclear PtCl(2)(NH(2)dpt) [NH(2)dpt=4-amino-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole] have been prepared and structurally characterized. Both neutral and ionic complexes are present, with bifunctional and monofunctional Pt(II) moieties, whose size and shape enable them to behave as novel scaffolds for DNA binding. Pt(II) complexes were tested for their biological activity. Cell viability assay and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that these complexes, particularly [PtCl(2)(micro-tptz)PtClNCPh]Cl, were effective death inducers in human colon rectal carcinoma HT29 cells and their cytotoxic activity was higher than that exerted by cisplatin. Morphological analysis of treated HT29 cells, performed by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33258 staining, showed the appearance of the typical features of apoptosis. Moreover, our results suggested that mitochondria are involved in apoptosis induced by Pt(II) complexes in HT29 cells as demonstrated by dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential.     

New Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with N,S-chelated pyrazolonate ligands: molecular and supramolecular structure and preliminary study of their in vitro antitumoral activity

New Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [ML2] (HL=a substituted 2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-pyrazolone-1-carbothioamide) have been synthesized by reacting K2MCl4 (M=Pd, Pt) or Pd(OAc)2 with beta-ketoester thiosemicarbazones. The structures of seven of these complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. Although all exhibit a distorted square-planar coordination with trans- or (in one case) cis-[MN2S2] kernels, their supramolecular arrangements vary widely from isolated molecules to 3D-networks. The in vitro antitumoral assays performed with two HL ligands and their metal complexes showed significant cytostatic activity for the latter, with the most active [ML2] derivative (a palladium complex) being about sixteen times more active than cis-DDP against the cisplatinum-resistant cell line A2780cisR.     

Calculation of lipophilicity for Pt(II) complexes: experimental comparison of several methods

Platinum containing compounds are promising antitumor agents, but must enter cells before reaching their main biological target, namely DNA. Their distribution within the body, and hence their activity is to a large extent determined by their lipophilicity, thus there is a strong interest to develop computational methods to predict this important property. This study analyses accuracy of five methods, namely ALOGPS, KOWWIN, CLOGP and two quantum chemical approaches, to predict octanol/water partition coefficients (log P) for sets of 43 and 12 Pt(II) complexes, collected from the literature and measured by the authors, respectively. All methods gave generally poor results with mean absolute error (MAE) of between 0.8 and 3 log units for prediction of new compounds. Extension of the ALOGPS program with data from the literature set resulted in the best prediction ability, MAE = 0.46, for the measured molecules. The program was also able to correctly predict errors in calculated log P values. It is freely available for interactive use at http://www.vcclab.org.     

Inhibition of PARP1 activity enhances chemotherapeutic efficiency in cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells

Cisplatin (DDP) is the first line chemotherapeutic drug for several cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Unfortunately, the rapid development of drug resistance remains a significant challenge for the clinical application of cisplatin. There is an urgent need to develop new strategies to overcome DDP resistance for cancer treatment. In this study, four types of human GC cells have been divided into naturally sensitive or naturally resistant categories according to their responses to cisplatin. PARP1 activity (poly (ADP-ribose), PAR) was found to be greatly increased in cisplatin-resistant GC cells. PARP1 inhibitors significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in the resistant GC cells via the inhibition of PAR. Mechanistically, PARP1 inhibitors suppress DNA-PKcs stability and reduce the capability of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair via the NHEJ pathway. This was also verified in BGC823/DDP GC cells with acquired cisplatin resistance. In conclusion, we identified that PARP1 is a useful interceptive target in cisplatin-resistant GC cells. Our data provide a promising therapeutic strategy against cisplatin resistance in GC cells that has potential translational significance.     

Time-dependent interactions of platinum(II) complexes with 5′-GMP under simulated physiological conditions studied by capillary electrophoresis

The binding behaviour as well as the time-dependent reaction of five platinum(II) complexes with 5′-GMP have been investigated by capillary electrophoresis under simulated physiological conditions referred to chloride concentration, pH and temperature. Different amine ligands influenced the binding properties towards 5′-GMP and resulted in different half-times of the overall reaction. Complexes with bidentate ligands reacted faster with the monophosphate compared to complexes with monodentate ligands. Complexes consisting of two monodentate hydroxyethylamine ligands reacted very slowly owing to a competitive intramolecular reaction of the hydroxyethyl residues, which was proven by NMR investigations. Reducing the number of hydroxyethyl residues increased the half-times of the reactions. Moreover, the major adducts formed with 5′-GMP were identified by MALDI-MS analysis. Received: 29 December 1999 / Accepted: 19 April 2000     

Alternative syntheses and reactivity of platinum(II) terpyridyl acetonitrile complexes

New direct syntheses of [Pt(trpy)(NCCH₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂2 (where trpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) and [Pt(tBu₃-trpy)(NCCH₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂3 (where tBu₃-trpy = 4,4′,4″-tri-tert-butyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) via the displacement of acetonitrile from [Pt(NCCH₃)₄](CF₃SO₃)₂ have been developed. The synthetic utility of 2 was investigated in reactions with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (CN-Xyl), 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-diisocyanohexane (TM4), and tert-butyl isocyanide (CN-tBu). Whereas the expected substitution products were observed for reactions with PPh₃, CN-Xyl, and CN-tBu, dealkylation of TM4 occurred to afford [Pt(trpy)(CN)](CF₃SO₃) 6. The structures of [Pt(trpy)L]²⁺ dications show little intermolecular interactions in the solid state, with the exception of the tBu₃-trpy complex 3 which exists as head-to-tail dimers with a Pt-Pt distance of 3.29 Å. The cyano product 6 was found to stack in infinite chains of cations with a Pt-Pt distance of 3.45 Å.     

Structure and characterization of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with protonated nucleobase ligands

The reaction of H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and (H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O (18C6 = 18-crown-6) with 9-methylguanine (MeGua) proceeded with the protonation of MeGua forming 9-methylguaninium hexachloroplatinate(IV) dihydrate (MeGuaH)₂[PtCl₆] · 2H₂O (1).The same compound was obtained from the reaction of Na₂[PtCl₆] with (MeGuaH)Cl.On the other hand, the reaction of guanosine (Guo) with (H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O in methanol at 60 °C proceeded with the cleavage of the glycosidic linkage and with ligand substitution to give a guaninium complex of platinum(IV), [PtCl₅(GuaH)] · 1.5(18C6) · H₂O (2).Within several weeks in aqueous solution a slow reduction took place yielding the analogous guaninium platinum(II) complex, [PtCl₃(GuaH)] · (18C6) · 2Me₂CO (3).H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and guanosine was found to react in water, yielding (GuoH)₂[PtCl₆] (4) and in ethanol at 50 °C, yielding [PtCl₅(GuoH)] · 3H₂O (5).Dissolution of complexes 2 and 5 in DMSO resulted in the substitution of the guaninium and guanosinium ligands, respectively, by DMSO forming [PtCl₅(DMSO)]⁻.Reactions of 1-methylcytosine (MeCyt) and cytidine (Cyd) with H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and(H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O resulted in the formation of hexachloroplatinates with N3 protonated pyrimidine bases as cation (MeCytH)₂[PtCl₆] · 2H₂O (6) and (CydH)₂[PtCl₆] (7), respectively. Identities of all complexes were confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopic investigations, revealing coordination of GuoH⁺ in complex 5 through N7 whereas GuaH⁺ in complex 3 may be coordinated through N7 or through N9. Solid state structure of hexachloroplatinate 1 exhibited base pairing of the cations yielding (MeGuaH⁺)₂, whereas in complex 6 non-base-paired MeCytH⁺ cations were found. In both complexes, a network of hydrogen bonds including the water molecules was found. X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 3 exhibited a guaninium ligand that is coordinated through N9 to platinum and protonated at N1, N3 and N7. In the crystal, these NH groups form hydrogen bonds N–HO to oxygen atoms of crown ether molecules.     

C-H activation of benzene by platinum(II) complexes with cyclometalated phosphine ligands

The bulky phosphine ligands di-tert-butyl(1-naphthyl)phosphine (1) or di-tert-butyl(N-indolyl)phosphine (2) react at room temperature with [(μ-SMe₂)PtMe₂]₂. Coordination of the phosphine and C-H bond activation at an sp² carbon of the ligand with the release of methane takes place to form the PC cyclometalated products [(PC)PtMe(SMe₂)] (3 or 4, respectively). The cyclometalated complexes 3 and 4 have both been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 3 and 4 were each observed to undergo intermolecular activation of arene C-H bonds. Upon thermolysis in benzene, complexes 3 and 4 react to eliminate methane and yield isolable platinum(II)-phenyl complexes.     

Synthesis of 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes and their cytocidal activity on estrogen-dependent and -independent breast tumor cells

The synthesis of two new highly potent 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes is described. The new molecules are linked at position 16 of the steroid nucleus with an alkyl chain. They are made from estrone in nine chemical steps with an overall yield exceeding 10%. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER(+) and ER(-)) human breast tumor cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The novel compounds prove to be highly cytotoxic against breast cancer cell lines. The most cytotoxic derivative shows high affinity for the estrogen receptor alpha.