Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, glutathione and DNA interactions of an antitumor large-ring Pt II chelate complex incorporating the cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane carrier ligand.

Earlier studies have described promising antitumor activity of a large-ring chelate complex [PtCl(2)(cis-1,4-DACH)] (DACH=diaminocyclohexane). Encouraging antitumor activity of this analogue of cisplatin prompted us to perform studies focused on the mechanistic basis of pharmacological effects of this complex. Four early steps in the mechanism of biological activity of cisplatin have been delineated: cell entry, reactions with sulfur-containing compounds, platinum-DNA binding along with processing platinated DNA by proteins (enzymes) and DNA repair.

Energetics, conformation, and recognition of DNA duplexes modified by methylated analogues of [PtCl(dien)]+.

In early studies of empirical structure-activity relationships, monodentate Pt(II) complexes were considered to be biologically inactive. Examples of such inactive monodentate Pt(II) compounds are [PtCl(dien)]+ (dien=diethylenetriamine) and [PtCl(NH3)3]+. DNA is considered the major biological target of platinum compounds.

Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and DNA interactions of new monodentate ruthenium(II) complexes containing terphenyl arenes.

We have compared the cancer cell cytotoxicity, cell uptake, and DNA binding properties of the isomeric terphenyl complexes [(eta(6)-arene)Ru(en)Cl](+), where the arene is ortho- (2), meta- (3), or para-terphenyl (1) (o-, m-, or p-terp). Complex 1, the X-ray crystal structure of which confirms that it has the classical "piano-stool" geometry, has a similar potency to cisplatin but is not cross-resistant and has a much higher activity than 2 or 3. The extent of Ru uptake into A2780 or A2780cis cells does not correlate with potency.

Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, cellular uptake, DNA and glutathione interactions of lipophilic trans-platinum complexes tethered to 1-adamantylamine.

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of trans,trans,trans-[PtCl2(CH3COO)2(NH3)(1-adamantylamine)] [trans-adamplatin(IV)] and its reduced analog trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(1-adamantylamine)] [trans-adamplatin(II)] were examined. In addition, the several factors underlying biological effects of these trans-platinum compounds using various biochemical methods were investigated. A notable feature of the growth inhibition studies was the remarkable circumvention of both acquired and intrinsic cisplatin resistance by the two lipophilic trans-compounds.

Biochemical studies of the thermal effects on DNA modifications by the antitumor cisplatin and their repair.

Using biochemical methods, we have examined the effect of two factors that might play a role in the mechanism of the biological activity of cisplatin at elevated temperatures (>37 degrees C). We show that increased temperatures result in distinct alterations in the modification of the target DNA by cisplatin, and in the repair of these modifications. Our in vitro results support the view that the enhanced DNA-cross-linking efficiency of cisplatin and the lower efficiency of native DNA repair mechanisms at higher temperature play at least a partial role in the potentiation of the antitumor effects of cisplatin under conditions of mild hyperthermia.

Structural characterization, DNA interactions, and cytotoxicity of new transplatin analogues containing one aliphatic and one planar heterocyclic amine ligand.

We report in the present work new analogues of clinically ineffective transplatin in which one ammine group was replaced by aliphatic and the other by a planar heterocyclic ligand, namely trans-[PtCl(2)(isopropylamine)(3-(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine)], 1, and trans-[PtCl(2)(isopropylamine)(4-(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine)], 2. The new compounds, in comparison with parent transplatin, exhibit radically enhanced activity in tumor cell lines both sensitive and in particular resistant to cisplatin. Concomitantly, the DNA binding mode of 1 and 2 compared to parent transplatin and other antitumor analogues of transplatin in which only one ammine group was replaced is also different.