A Novel Substituted Benzo[ g]quinoxaline-Based Cyclometalated Ru(II) Complex as a Biocompatible Membrane-Targeted PDT Colon Cancer Stem Cell Agent

J Med Chem. 2024 Dec 12;67(23):21470-21485. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02357. Epub 2024 Dec 2.

Abstract

Herein, we describe and investigate biological activity of three octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes of the type [Ru(CN)(phen)2]+, RuL1-RuL3, containing a π-expansive cyclometalating substituted benzo[g]quinoxaline ligand (CN ligand) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Compounds RuL1-RuL3 in cervical, melanoma, and colon human cancer cells exhibit high phototoxicity after irradiation with light (particularly blue), with the phototoxicity index reaching 100 for the complex RuL2 in most sensitive HCT116 cells. RuL2 accumulates in the cellular membranes. If irradiated, it induces lipid peroxidation, likely connected with photoinduced ROS generation. Oxidative damage to the fatty acids leads to the attenuation of the membranes, the activation of caspase 3, and the triggering of the apoptotic pathway, thus implementing membrane-localized photodynamic therapy. RuL2 is the first photoactive ruthenium-based complex capable of killing the hardly treatable colon cancer stem cells, a highly resilient subpopulation within a heterogeneous tumor mass, responsible for tumor recurrence and the metastatic progression of cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Coordination Complexes* / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes* / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes* / pharmacology
  • Coordination Complexes* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells* / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells* / pathology
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Quinoxalines* / chemical synthesis
  • Quinoxalines* / chemistry
  • Quinoxalines* / pharmacology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Ruthenium* / chemistry
  • Ruthenium* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Quinoxalines
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Ruthenium
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species