Author: Knipp, Markus

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 16, Number 5, February 2009 , pp. 522-537(16)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

The classical square planar transition metal complex cis-diamminodichlorido platinum(II) (cisplatin) ranks among the most successful and widely applied antitumor drugs for the treatment of a number of cancers. However, the risk of unforeseen resistance formation and the appearance of severe side effects in cancer patients constitutes a considerable need for the development of novel platinum based antitumor compounds. Since the introduction of cisplatin into the clinic, a few similar compounds, like cis-diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)platinum(II) (carboplatin), were developed, which can partly overcome the problems. The ubiquitously occurring small zinc and copper binding proteins metallothioneins (MTs) constitute the most potent cytosolic sink for platinum drugs. It appeared that, besides the formation of the very strong platinum(II)-sulfur bond involving the twenty cysteine residues of MT, the incorporation of platinum(II) into the MT structure contributes effectively to the scavenging of the drug. However, recently it became evident that the extent, to which MT sequesters platinum drugs, depends not only on the type of cancer, but also on the interaction of MT with the ligand sphere of the platinum center. For example, in contrast to cis-platinum(II) compounds, trans-platinum(II) compounds retain their N-donor ligands upon reaction with MT. From these studies, guidelines may be derived for the development of N-donor carrier ligands leading to novel platinum(II) drugs. This review describes the role of metallothioneins for the platinum(II) drug sequestration in vivo. Furthermore, it summarizes the recent developments toward the understanding of the reaction between platinum(II) and MT thiols and the structural aspects of the platinum(II) incorporation into the MT domains, and comments about future perspectives are given.

Keywords: Anti tumor drugs; cancer; cisplatin; metallothionein; platinum treatment; sulfur-platinum interaction; transplatin

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787458452

Affiliations: 1: Max-Planck-Institut für Bioanorganische Chemie, Stiftstrasse 34-36, D-45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.

Publication date: 2009-02-01

More about this publication?

• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pharmacology
• By this author: Knipp, Markus

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers