Poly(alkylidenimine) Dendrimers Functionalized with the Organometallic Moiety [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ as Promising Drugs Against Cisplatin-Resistant Cancer Cells and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Gouveia M, Figueira J, Jardim MG, Castro R, Tomás H, Rissanen K, Rodrigues J

Molecules 23 (6) 1471 [2018-06-17; online 2018-06-17]

Here and for the first time, we show that the organometallic compound [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂Cl] (RuCp) has potential to be used as a metallodrug in anticancer therapy, and further present a new approach for the cellular delivery of the [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ fragment via coordination on the periphery of low-generation poly(alkylidenimine) dendrimers through nitrile terminal groups. Importantly, both the RuCp and the dendrimers functionalized with [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ fragments present remarkable toxicity towards a wide set of cancer cells (Caco-2, MCF-7, CAL-72, and A2780 cells), including cisplatin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell lines (A2780 cisR cells). Also, RuCp and the prepared metallodendrimers are active against human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which are often found in the tumor microenvironment where they seem to play a role in tumor progression and drug resistance.

Swedish NMR Centre (SNC) [Collaborative]

PubMed 29914219

DOI 10.3390/molecules23061471

Crossref 10.3390/molecules23061471

pii: molecules23061471
pmc: PMC6100097