Structure-antitumor activity relationship for new analogs of thecis-dichloro(l,2-diamino cyclohexane) platinum(II) complex

In 1977, Gale and associates reported the synthesis and antitumor activity of a series of Pt(II) complexes containing 1,2-diaminocyclohexane as the ligand. Certain of these complexes showed superior activity and greater water solubility compared to cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ complexes (“Neoplatin”). In this paper we report the synthesis and antitumor activity of some 40 new water soluble platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes. The following classes of the cis-Pt(L)Cl₂ complexes were obtained, where L = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane: (a) cis-Pt(L)(X), where X is a derivative of homophthalic acid or a derivative of 1,3-benzendicarboxylic acid, (b) cis-Pt(L)(X)(OH)₂ and cis-Pt(L)(X)(Cl)₂ complexes, where L and X are the above-mentioned ligands, (c) cis-Pt(L)(X)₂ complexes where X is the monoanion of an organic xanthate or dithiocarbamate and L = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, (d) their corresponding Pt(IV) analogues, Pt(L)(X)₂(OH)₂ and Pt(L)(X)₂(Cl)₂. All complexes were assayed against P388 tumors and/or KB cell-bearing mice. The observed antitumor activities were correlated with the structures and spectra of the complexes as well as with the results of EHMO calculations performed on the leaving ligand molecules. A number of the most active complexes were also tested for activity against ADJ/PC6 Yoshida and S-180 tumors in vivo.