Jonathan F. Arambula

A Pyrrolyl-based Triazolophane: A Macrocyclic Receptor With CH and NH Donor Groups That Exhibits a Preference for Pyrophosphate Anions

A pyrrolyl-based triazolophane, incorporating CH and NH donor groups, acts as a receptor for the pyrophosphate anion in chloroform solution. It shows selectivity for this trianion, followed by HSO(4)(-) > H(2)PO(4)(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) (all as the corresponding tetrabutylammonium salts), with NH-anion interactions being more important than CH-anion interactions. In the solid state, the receptor binds the pyrophosphate anion in a clip-like slot via NH and CH hydrogen bonds.

Recent developments in texaphyrin chemistry and drug discovery.

Texaphyrins are pentaaza expanded porphyrins with the ability to form stable complexes with a variety of metal cations, particularly those of the lanthanide series. In biological milieus, texaphyrins act as redox mediators and mediate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, newer studies involving texaphyrin complexes targeting several different applications in anticancer therapy are described. In particular, the preparation of bismuth and lead texaphyrin complexes as potential α-core emitters for radiotherapy is detailed, as are gadolinium texaphyrin functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with features that make them of interest as dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and as constructs with anticancer activity mediated through ROS-induced sensitization and concurrent hyperthermia. Also discussed are gadolinium texaphyrin complexes as possible carrier systems for the targeted delivery of platinum payloads.

Texaphyrins: Tumor Localizing Redox Active Expanded Porphyrins

Texaphyrins, a class of tumor selective expanded porphyrins capable of coordinating large metals, have been found to act as redox mediators within biological systems. This review summarizes studies involving their experimental use in cancer chemotherapy. Mechanistic insights involving their presumed mode of action are also described, as well as certain structure activity relationships. Finally, newer texaphyrin-based applications associated with targeted drug delivery are presented.

Photoinduced Reduction of PtIV within an Anti‐Proliferative PtIV–Texaphyrin Conjugate

In an effort to increase the stability and control the platinum reactivity of platinum-texaphyrin conjugates, two Pt(IV) conjugates were designed, synthesized, and studied for their ability to form DNA adducts. They were also tested for their anti-proliferative effects using wild-type and platinum-resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and 2780CP, respectively). In comparison to an analogous first-generation Pt(II) chimera, one of the new conjugates provided increased stability in aqueous environments. Using a combination of (1) H NMR spectroscopy and FAAS (flameless atomic-absorption spectrometry), it was found that the Pt(IV) center within this conjugate undergoes photoinduced reduction to Pt(II) upon exposure to glass-filtered daylight, resulting in an entity that binds DNA in a controlled manner. Under conditions in which the Pt(IV) complex is reduced to the corresponding Pt(II) species, these new conjugates demonstrated potent anti-proliferative activity in both test ovarian cancer cell lines.

Overcoming biochemical pharmacologic mechanisms of platinum resistance with a texaphyrin-platinum conjugate

In our effort to investigate further texaphyrin conjugation as a means of increasing delivery and accumulation of known anticancer platinum agents in cancer cells, we have continued our studies on the mode of action of a texaphyrin-platinum conjugate, particularly in cisplatin-resistant tumor cells that are characterized by several mechanisms of resistance, including reduced drug accumulation. Our results provide support for the proposal that intracellular platinum and Pt-DNA adduct levels were significantly increased using our conjugate relative to corresponding Pt controls. Moreover, no differences were found in cellular accumulation and Pt-DNA adduct formation between Pt sensitive and Pt resistant ovarian cells. As a result, resistance to the conjugate was lower than cisplatin in resistant cells. Based on these results we conclude that texaphyrin conjugation provides a promising strategy for overcoming biochemical pharmacologic mechanisms of resistance.

A texaphyrin–oxaliplatin conjugate that overcomes both pharmacologic and molecular mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in cancer cells

A texaphyrin-oxaliplatin conjugate, oxaliTEX, was designed to test the concept that a platinum analog can overcome defects in drug accumulation and p53-dependent DNA damage response in a tumor model expressing multifactorial mechanisms of cisplatin resistance. Cytotoxic studies resulted in a resistance factor of only 1.2, which essentially indicated complete reversal of resistance in 2780CP cells expressing a factor of 22 with cisplatin. Unlike cisplatin, oxaliTEX accumulated and formed DNA adducts, stabilized and activated p53 at similar levels in both sensitive and resistant cells, and induced apoptosis in both models. The ability and importance of a designer drug, such as oxaliTEX, to overcome cisplatin resistance by targeting two dominant resistance mechanisms is discussed.

Bismuth- and lead-texaphyrin complexes: towards potential α-core emitters for radiotherapy.

Lead(II)-texaphyrins and the first discrete binuclear μ-oxo bismuth(III)-texaphyrin are reported. The latter was characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Cell proliferation assays using the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the complexes.

Gadolinium texaphyrin (Gd-Tex)-malonato-platinum conjugates: Synthesis and comparison with carboplatin in normal and Pt-resistant cell lines

The synthesis of a new PEG-solubilized gadolinium texaphyrin (Gd-Tex) conjugate containing a malonate-Pt(NH(3))(2) moiety is described. The effect of the tumor localizing Gd-Tex macrocycle on platinum activity was evaluated in cell culture. The malonate moiety, analogous to that present in carboplatin, is expected to release an aquated Pt(NH(3))(2) species under physiological conditions. The half-life in phosphate-buffered saline was found to be ca. 3 days at room temperature, and the hydrolytic product released from the conjugate was collected and confirmed as Pt-based by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anti-proliferative activity was tested using A549 human lung cancer and A2780 human ovarian cancer cell lines. In both cell lines, the activity of the Gd-Tex conjugate was found to be similar to that of carboplatin. Efficacy against a Pt-resistant ovarian cell line greater than that displayed by carboplatin was also observed.

Corrigendum: Photoinduced Reduction of PtIV within an Anti‐Proliferative PtIV–Texaphyrin Conjugate

In an effort to increase the stability and control the platinum reactivity of platinum-texaphyrin conjugates, two Pt(IV) conjugates were designed, synthesized, and studied for their ability to form DNA adducts. They were also tested for their anti-proliferative effects using wild-type and platinum-resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and 2780CP, respectively). In comparison to an analogous first-generation Pt(II) chimera, one of the new conjugates provided increased stability in aqueous environments. Using a combination of (1) H NMR spectroscopy and FAAS (flameless atomic-absorption spectrometry), it was found that the Pt(IV) center within this conjugate undergoes photoinduced reduction to Pt(II) upon exposure to glass-filtered daylight, resulting in an entity that binds DNA in a controlled manner. Under conditions in which the Pt(IV) complex is reduced to the corresponding Pt(II) species, these new conjugates demonstrated potent anti-proliferative activity in both test ovarian cancer cell lines.