Copper(II) complex enhanced chemodynamic therapy through GSH depletion and autophagy flow blockade

Dalton Trans. 2023 Mar 14;52(11):3287-3294. doi: 10.1039/d2dt04108a.

Abstract

Three copper(II) complexes C1-C3 were synthesized and fully characterized as chemodynamic therapy (CDT) anticancer agents. C1-C3 showed greater cytotoxicity than their ligands toward SK-OV-3 and T24 cells. Particularly, C2 showed high cytotoxicity toward T24 cells and low cytotoxicity toward normal human HL-7702 and WI-38 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that C2 oxidized GSH to GSSG and produced ˙OH, which induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress, finally leading to apoptosis of T24 cells. In addition, C2 inhibited autophagy by blocking autophagy flow, thereby closing the self-protection pathway of oxidative stress to enhance CDT. Importantly, C2 significantly inhibited T24 tumor growth with 57.1% inhibition in a mouse xenograft model. C2 is a promising lead as a potential CDT anticancer agent.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Autophagy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Copper / pharmacology
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Oxidative Stress

Substances

  • Copper
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Glutathione