Abstract
Gold(III) complexes constitute a new class of metallodrugs, of potential interest for cancer treatment. During the past decade different kinds of gold(III) complexes have been reported to be appreciably stable under physiological-like conditions and to manifest relevant antiproliferative properties against selected human tumor cell lines. Some relevant examples are presented. Recent investigations point out that the interactions of cytotoxic gold(III) complexes with DNA are significantly different and weaker than those of platinum analogues; important interactions with model proteins and target proteins have been reported as well. Accordingly, the mechanisms of action of cytotoxic gold(III) complexes seem to be innovative and substantially different from that of cisplatin. Relevant antimitochondrial effects were demonstrated in some cases, eventually leading to cell apoptosis.
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Luigi Messori PhD in Chemical Sciences (1987), Associate Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry, is a member of the Department of Chemistry, University of Florence. His main research interests are in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. In a first phase he has been involved in the study of the solution behaviour of metalloproteins, with emphasis on metal carrier proteins. Later on, his research interests moved to consider the role of metal ions in medicine. In particular, he has directed his attention towards anti-tumour metal complexes (mainly ruthenium(III) and gold(III) complexes) and to their interactions with nucleic acids and proteins. Recent achievements of his scientific activity are a number of studies on anticancer gold(III) complexes and a few biophysical studies concerning the adducts of platinum drugs with some proteins. He has been the Coordinator of a COST D20 WG focusing on the interactions of anticancer metallodrugs with plasma proteins. He has given several invited lectures in Italy and abroad on the above topics. He is author of more than 130 papers, published on international scientific journals.
Dr. Chiara Gabbiani graduated in Chemistry at the University of Florence in 2003. She is presently working as a PhD student in Prof. Messori’s research group in Florence. The main subject of her studies is the investigation of gold(III) complexes as anticancer agents.
Dr. Angela Casini received her BSc from the University of Florence in 1998 and was awarded a PhD grant from the same University in 2001. She has worked first on the mechanisms of action of metal complexes as anti-cancer agents investigated through a variety of spectroscopic and molecular biology techniques. Her PhD research project concerned the development of novel metallo-enzyme inhibitors with particular focus on carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. She is presently holding a post-doc position to perform studies on the interactions of metal complexes with biomolecules with particular attention to proteins as possible targets for the pharmacological activity of this type of drugs.
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Gabbiani, C., Casini, A. & Messori, L. Gold(III) compounds as anticancer drugs. Gold Bull 40, 73–81 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03215296
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03215296