The ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes (RPCs) Δ-[(phen)2Ru(tatpp)]Cl2 (Δ-[3]Cl2) and ΔΔ-[(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]Cl4 (ΔΔ-[4]Cl4) are a new generation of metal-based anti-tumor agents. These RPCs bind DNA via intercalation of the tatpp ligand which itself is redox-active and easily reduced at biologically relevant potentials. We have previously shown that RPC 44+ cleaves DNA when reduced by glutathione to a radical species, and that this DNA cleavage is potentiated under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Here we show that 32+ also exhibits free-radical mediated DNA cleavage in vitro, and that 32+ and 44+ both exhibit selective cytotoxicity towards cultured malignant cell lines, and marked inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. The murine acute toxicity of RPCs 32+ and 44+ (maximum tolerable doses (MTD’s) ~ 65 µmol/kg) is comparable with that for cisplatin (LD50 ~57 µmol/kg) but unlike cisplatin, RPC’s are generally cleared from the body unchanged via renal excretion without appreciable metabolism or nephrotoxic side effects. RPCs 32+ and 44+ are demonstrated to suppress growth of human non-small cell lung carcinoma (~83%), show potentiated cytotoxicity in vitro under hypoxic conditions, and induce apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The novel hypoxia-enhanced DNA cleavage activity and biological activity suggest a promising new anti-cancer pharmacophore based on metal complexes with aromatic ligands that are easily reduced at biologically accessible potentials.

Yellow foci show time dependent DNA double strand breaks in the nuclei of H358 cells treated with IC50 concentration of [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(Phen)2]Cl4.

Treatment of cultured human cell lines with a cytotoxic IC50 dose of ∼2 μM tris(diphenylphenanthroline)ruthenium(ii) chloride (RPC2) retards or arrests microtubule motion as tracked by visualizing fluorescently-tagged microtubule plus end-tracking proteins.