Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, characterized by an aberrant metabolic phenotype with high metastatic capacity, resulting in poor patient prognoses and low survival rates. We designed a series of novel Au-III cyclometalated prodrugs of energy-disrupting Type II antidiabetic drugs namely, metformin and phenformin. Prodrug activation and release of the metformin ligand was achieved by tuning the cyclometalated Au-III fragment. The lead complex 3met was 6000-fold more cytotoxic compared to uncoordinated metformin and significantly reduced tumor burden in mice with aggressive breast cancers with lymphocytic infiltration into tumor tissues. These effects was ascribed to 3met interfering with energy production in TNBCs and inhibiting associated pro-survival responses to induce deadly metabolic catastrophe.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 13405-13413 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 7 Jun 2021 |
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 301904 Cancer research
- 301207 Pharmaceutical chemistry
Keywords
- antitumor agents
- drug discovery
- metabolism
- metformin
- prodrugs