Is the Way to Fight Cancer Paved with Gold? Metal-Based Carbene Complexes with Multiple and Fascinating Biological Features

• DOI: 10.3390/ph13050091
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11T14:01:18Z
• Authors: Domenico Iacopetta; Camillo Rosano; Marco Sirignano; Annaluisa Mariconda; Jessica Ceramella; Marco Ponassi; Carmela Saturnino; Maria Stefania Si...; Pasquale Longo
• Keywords: Imidazole; Cyclopentanes

Herein, we report the synthesis and multiple anti-tumor properties of new gold silver carbene complexes. The chemical modifications, grounded on our previous studies, led us to identify a good lead complex, gold-based, whose biological features are very exciting promising in anti-cancer research could be further developed. Indeed, bis-[4,5-dichloro-(N-methyl-N'(2-hydroxy-2-phenyl)ethyl-imidazole-2-ylidene)gold(I)]+[dichloro-gold]- (AuL7) complex possesses ability interfere with at least three important different intracellular targets, namely human topoisomerases I II tubulin, which able modulate metabolic processes not directly correlated each other. We proved that modifications ligands structure AuL7, respect another already published i.e., bis-[4,5-dichloro-(N-methyl-N'(cyclopentane-2ol)-imidazole-2-ylidine)gold(I)]+[dichloro-gold]- (AuL4), produce behavior toward tubulin-polymerization process, since AuL7 is inhibitor AuL4 stabilizer, final same result hampering tumor growth. Taken together, outcomes designate as compound for development multi-targeted therapies.