Gold(I) Bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) Complexes as Promising Selective Anticancer Compounds

J Med Chem. 2021 Nov 11;64(21):15747-15757. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01021. Epub 2021 Oct 20.

Abstract

The synthesis and antiproliferative activity of Mes- and iPr-substituted gold(I) bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) complexes in various cancer cell lines are reported, showing nanomolar IC50 values of 50 nM (lymphoma cells) and 500 nM (leukemia cells), respectively (Mes < iPr). The compounds exclusively induce apoptosis (50 nM to 5 μM) instead of necrosis in common malignant blood cells (leukemia cells) and do not affect non-malignant leucocytes. Remarkably, the complexes not only overcome resistances against the well-established cytostatic etoposide, cytarabine, daunorubicin, and cisplatin but also promote a synergistic effect of up to 182% when used with daunorubicin. The present results demonstrate that gold(I) bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) complexes are highly promising and easily modifiable anticancer metallodrugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology*
  • Daunorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Triazoles / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Triazoles
  • Gold
  • Daunorubicin