A select thiosemicarbazone copper(II) complex induces apoptosis in gastric cancer and targets cancer stem cells reducing pluripotency markers.

Copper(II)-based complexes are promising candidates as anti-cancer agents due to their ability to target cancer cells. Here we describe the synthesis and characterization of two copper(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes with the ligands 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde N4-methylthiosemicarbazone (HL) and 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde N4-(4-(dimethylamino)phenylthiosemicarbazone (HL) and general formula [Cu(L)]. The complexes show stability in aqueous solution with 1 % of DMSO that allows to stablish its solution profile in biological buffers.

-[Pt(amine)Cl(PPh)] Complexes Target Mitochondria and Endoplasmic Reticulum in Gastric Cancer Cells.

Gastric cancer prognosis is still notably poor despite efforts made to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Chemotherapy based on platinum agents is generally used, regardless of the fact that drug toxicity leads to limited clinical efficacy. In order to overcome these problems, our group has been working on the synthesis and study of trans platinum (II) complexes.

Platinum iodido drugs show potential anti-tumor activity, affecting cancer cell metabolism and inducing ROS and senescence in gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has associated clinical disadvantages, such as high toxicity and resistance. Thus, the development of new antitumor metallodrugs able to overcome different clinical barriers is a public healthcare priority. Here, we studied the mechanism of action of the isomers trans and cis-[PtI(isopropylamine)] (I5 and I6, respectively) against gastrointestinal cancer cells.