Combination studies of platinum(ii)-based metallointercalators with buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine, 3-bromopyruvate, cisplatin or carboplatin

Abstract

With current chemotherapeutic treatment regimes often limited by adverse side effects, the synergistic combination of complexes with anticancer activity appears to offer a promising strategy for effective cancer treatment. This work investigates the anti-proliferative activity using a combination therapy approach where metallointercalators of the type [Pt(I L)(A L)] 2+ (where I L is the intercalating ligand and A L is the ancillary ligand) are used in combination with currently approved anticancer drugs cisplatin and carboplatin and organic molecules buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine and 3-bromopyruvate. Synergistic relationships were observed, indicating a potential to decrease dose-dependent toxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.