Anti-cancer gold(I) phosphine complexes: Cyclic trimers and tetramers containing the P-Au-P moiety

J Inorg Biochem. 2017 Oct:175:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2017.06.010. Epub 2017 Jun 28.

Abstract

We report the application of cationic tri- and tetra-nuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes [Au3(μ-dppen)3]X3 and [Au4(μ-dppa)4]X4 (X=OTf, PF6) [OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate, dppen=trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene, dppa=bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene] for cancer treatment. The results of cytotoxicity tests on four different cancer cells [prostate (DU145), cervical (HeLa), breast (MDAMB-231) and fibro sarcoma (HT1080)] indicate these complexes possess remarkable tumor cell growth inhibitory effects and high selectivity towards cancer cells. The anti-tumor mechanism of the tri- and tetra-nuclear gold(I) complexes has also been investigated.

Keywords: Anti-cancer activity; Apoptosis; Gold phosphine complexes; Thioredoxin reductase.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Organogold Compounds* / chemical synthesis
  • Organogold Compounds* / chemistry
  • Organogold Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Phosphines* / chemistry
  • Phosphines* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organogold Compounds
  • Phosphines
  • phosphine