Preclinical Evaluation of Zn(II) Self-Assemblies with Selective Cytotoxic Activity Against Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Ovo.

Dipodal pyridylthiazole amine ligands L and L both form different metallo-supramolecular self-assemblies with Zn and Cu and these are shown to be toxic and selective towards cancer cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, potency and selectivity are highly dependent upon the metal ions, ligand system and bound anion, with significant changes in chemosensitivity and selectivity dependent upon which species are employed. Importantly, significant anti-tumor activity was observed in ovo at doses that are non-toxic.

Self-assembly of an anion receptor with metal-dependent kinase inhibition and potent in vitro anti-cancer properties.

One topical area of supramolecular chemistry is the binding of anionic species but despite the importance of anions in diverse cellular processes and for cancer development, anion receptors or 'binders' have received little attention as potential anti-cancer therapeutics. Here we report self-assembling trimetallic cryptands (e.g.

Discovery of selective, antimetastatic and anti-cancer stem cell metallohelices post-assembly modification.

Helicates and related metallofoldamers, synthesised by dynamic self-assembly, represent an area of chemical space inaccessible by traditional organic synthesis, and yet with potential for discovery of new classes of drug. Here we report that water-soluble, optically pure Fe(ii)- and even Zn(ii)-based triplex metallohelices are an excellent platform for post-assembly click reactions. By these means, the anticancer activity and most importantly the selectivity of a triplex metallohelix Fe(ii) system are dramatically improved.

Randomised controlled trial of GM-CSF in critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis.

Background: Critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis have significantly increased risk of nosocomial infection. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves phagocytosis by neutrophils ex vivo. This study tested the hypothesis that GM-CSF improves neutrophil phagocytosis in critically ill patients in whom phagocytosis is known to be impaired.