Inhibition of cancer cell growth by ruthenium(II) arene complexes

  • Robert E. Morris
  • , Rhona E. Aird
  • , Piedad del Socorro Murdoch
  • , Haimei Chen
  • , Jeffrey Cummings
  • , Nathan D. Hughes
  • , Simon Parsons
  • , Andrew Parkin
  • , Gary Boyd
  • , Duncan I. Jodrell
  • , Peter J. Sadler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

723 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Inhibition of the growth of the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 by organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [(η6-arene)Ru(X)(Y)(Z)], where arene is benzene or substituted benzene, X, Y, and Z are halide, acetonitrile, or isonicotinamide, or X,Y is ethylenediamine (en) or N-ethylethylenediamine, has been investigated. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(en)Cl]PF6 (5), [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl2(isonicotinamide)] (7), and [(η6-biphenyl)Ru(en)Cl]PF6 (9) are reported. They have “piano stool” geometries with η6 coordination of the arene ligand. Complexes with X,Y as a chelated en ligand and Z as a monofunctional leaving group had the highest activity. Complexes 5, 6 (the iodo analogue of 5), 9, and 10 (ethylethylenediamine analogue of 9) were as active as carboplatin. Hydrolysis of the reactive Ru−Cl bond in complex 5 was detected by HPLC but was suppressed by the addition of chloride ions. Complex 5 binds strongly and selectively to G bases on DNA oligonucleotides to form monofunctional adducts. No inhibition of topoisomerase I or II by complexes 5, 6, or 9 was detected. These chelated Ru(II) arene complexes have potential as novel metal-based anticancer agents with a mechanism of action different from that of the Ru(III) complex currently on clinical trial.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3616-3621
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

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