KP1019, a new redox-active anticancer agent--preclinical development and results of a clinical phase I study in tumor patients.

The promising drug candidate indazolium trans-[tetrachlorobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (KP1019) is the second Ru-based anticancer agent to enter clinical trials. In this review, which is an update of a paper from 2006 (Hartinger et al., J. Inorg. Biochem. 2006, 100, 891-904), the experimental evidence for the proposed mode of action of this coordination compound is discussed, including transport into the cell via the transferrin cycle and activation by reduction. The results of the early clinical development of KP1019 are summarized in which five out of six evaluated patients experienced disease stabilization with no severe side effects.

The first ruthenium-based paullones: syntheses, X-ray diffraction structures, and spectroscopic and antiproliferative properties in vitro.

Two novel paullone derivatives, namely, 6-(alpha-picolylamino)-7,12-dihydroindolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepine (L1) and 9-bromo-6-(alpha-picolylamino)-7,12-dihydroindolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepine (L2), have been prepared. The reaction of cis-[RuCl2(DMSO)4] (DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide) with L1 and L2 in a 1:1 molar ratio in dry ethanol at 50 degrees C afforded the complexes trans-[RuIICl2(DMSO)2L1] (1a) and trans-[RuIICl2(DMSO)2L2] (1b) in 26 and 30% yield, respectively. The reaction carried out from the same starting compounds in a 1:2 molar ratio at 75 degrees C led to the formation of [RuIICl(DMSO)(L1)2]Cl (2a) and [RuIICl(DMSO)(L2)2]Cl (2b) in 16 and 23% yield, correspondingly. The products were characterized by elemental analysis, one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, electronic spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography (L1, L2, 1a, and 2b). Complexes 2a and 2b exhibit remarkable antiproliferative activity in three human carcinoma cell lines, A549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma), CH1 (ovarian carcinoma), and SW480 (colon carcinoma). The novel complexes show an intercalative mode of interaction with DNA, which may render them attractive alternatives to metal compounds with a coordinative mode of interaction.

Reversion of structure-activity relationships of antitumor platinum complexes by acetoxime but not hydroxylamine ligands.

The presence of cis-configured exchangeable ligands has long been considered a prerequisite for antitumor activity of platinum complexes, but over the past few years, several examples violating this structure-activity relationship have been recognized. We report here on studies with the geometric isomers of [PtCl2(acetoxime)2], cis-[dichlorobis(acetoxime)platinum(II)] [1 (cis)] and trans-[dichlorobis(acetoxime)platinum(II)] [2 (trans)], as well as those of [PtCl2(hydroxylamine)2], cis-[dichlorobis(hydroxylamine)platinum(II)] [3 (cis)] and trans-[dichlorobis(hydroxylamine)platinum(II)] [4 (trans)]. We found that 2 (trans)is 16 times more cytotoxic than 1 (cis) and as cytotoxic as cisplatin in cisplatin-sensitive ovarian carcinoma cells (CH1). Moreover, 2 (trans) is 15 times more cytotoxic than either cisplatin or 1 (cis) in intrinsically cisplatin-resistant colon carcinoma cells (SW480). Thus, compound 2 (trans) represents a novel type of active platinum(II) complexes of the trans geometry, whereas the hydroxylamine-containing complexes conform to the classic structure-activity relationships. The reactivity of the compounds toward dGMP and DNA and their capacity to alter the structure of double-stranded DNA and form interstrand cross-links were studied by capillary electrophoresis and gel electrophoresis. The slow binding of 2 (trans) to dGMP (tau(1/2) = 50 h versus 8.9 h in the case of cisplatin), the low reactivity toward DNA, the comparatively small impact on DNA secondary structure, and the lack of detectable interstrand cross-linking suggest a mode of action fundamentally different from that of cisplatin. Implications of our findings for the minimal structural requirements (e.g., planarity around the nitrogen donor atom and/or ramified aliphatic moiety attached to the latter) of active trans-configured platinum complexes are discussed.

DNA interactions of pH-sensitive, antitumor bis(aminoalcohol)dichloroplatinum(II) complexes.

(SP-4-2)-Bis(2-aminoethanol)dichloroplatinum(II) (KP1356) and (SP-4-2)-bis[(R)-(-)-2-aminobutanol)]dichloroplatinum(II) (KP1433) are promising cytotoxic agents capable of changing their chemical structure depending on the pH value. On the basis of this, they are supposed to be active only in or preferentially in hypoxic tumors with low pH. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of changes of the DNA secondary structure, of the DNA modification degree, and of the formation of interstrand cross-links caused by these complexes in comparison to the parental compound cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin). All examinations were performed at physiological pH 7.4 and at pH 6.0 mimicking the acidified environment of many tumor tissues. In general, cisplatin displayed a higher reactivity accompanied by more pronounced DNA compaction, untwisting, and formation of interstrand cross-links at both pH values. Additionally, it was shown for the first time that cisplatin generates interstrand cross-links faster at pH 6.0 than at 7.4. However, the difference between pH 7.4 and 6.0 was much larger for KP1356 and KP1433 than for cisplatin, since they were essentially nonreactive and induced almost no secondary structures at pH 7.4, as contrasted to cisplatin. Our data suggest that formed adducts, i.e., intra- and/or interstrand cross-links, may be the sole cause of the cytotoxicity of KP1356 and KP1433 at pH 6.0. The results of this study may stimulate and contribute to further improvement of these novel, specific cytotoxic drugs that are anticipated to exert their full power in the tumor while being reasonably inactive in normal tissue.

From bench to bedside--preclinical and early clinical development of the anticancer agent indazolium trans-[tetrachlorobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (KP1019 or FFC14A).

Indazolium trans-[tetrachlorobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(III)] (KP1019 or FFC14A) is just the second ruthenium-based anticancer agent after NAMI-A which was developed to the stage of clinical trials. Important steps in the mode of action of KP1019 are thought to be the binding to the serum protein transferrin and the transport into the cell via the transferrin pathway. Additionally, the selective activation by reduction in the tumor might contribute to the low side effects observed in in vivo studies. Apoptosis is induced at non-toxic levels via the mitochondrial pathway. These features distinguish it from the established platinum anticancer drugs and suggest that different types of cancer might be treatable with this drug. Indeed, promising activity against certain types of tumors, which are not successfully treatable with cisplatin, and only a very low incidence of acquired resistance has been observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Recently, a clinical phase I trial was finished in which none of the treated patients experienced serious side effects, while disease stabilization in five of six evaluable patients was achieved. In this review, the preclinical and early clinical development of KP1019 - from bench to bedside - is recapitulated.

Anticancer activity of the lanthanum compound [tris(1,10-phenanthroline)lanthanum(III)]trithiocyanate (KP772; FFC24).

Aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer properties of the new lanthanum compound [tris(1,10-phenanthroline)lanthanum(III)]trithiocyanate (KP772; FFC24). In vitro, growth inhibition by KP772 was comparable for >60 tumour cell models with IC50 values generally in the low microM range. KP772 induced tumour cell apoptosis indicated by chromatin condensation, caspase substrate cleavage and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation. DNA is unlikely to represent the primary molecular target of KP772, as no significant interaction or damage of DNA was detectable both in vitro and in living cells. Moreover, we found no evidence for induction of radical species. In contrast, KP772 potently inhibited DNA synthesis paralleled by a massive block of cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and a selective decrease of cyclin B1. Although treatment with KP772 induced expression of p53 and p21Waf1, transfection of wild-type p53 into knock-out cells only marginally enhanced the cytostatic activity of KP772. In vivo, the anticancer activity of KP772 against human DLD-1 colon carcinoma xenografts was comparable to that of cisplatin and methotrexate at doses not causing significant adverse effects. With regard to toxicity, the LD50 and no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAEL) of KP772 in Sprague-Dawley rats were 21.6 and 7.5 mg/kg, in outbred albino mice 62 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. In summary, KP772 exerts anticancer activity via potent induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis and has promising in vivo anticancer activity against a human colon cancer xenograft. Together, these data suggest further development of KP772 as a new anticancer metal-drug.