This work is focused on the synthesis, characterization, and preliminary biological evaluation of bio‐conjugated AuIII and CuII complexes with the aim of overcoming the well‐known side effects of chemotherapy by improving the selective accumulation of an anticancer metal payload in malignant cells. For this purpose, carbohydrates were chosen as targeting agents, exploiting the Warburg effect that accounts for the overexpression of glucose‐transporter proteins (in particular GLUTs) in the phospholipid bilayer of most neoplastic cells. We linked the dithiocarbamato moiety to the C1 position of three different monosaccharides: d‐glucose, d‐galactose, and d‐mannose. Altogether, six complexes with a 1:2 metal‐to‐ligand stoichiometry were synthesized and in vitro tested as anticancer agents. One of them showed high cytotoxic activity toward the HCT116 colorectal human carcinoma cell line, paving the way to future in vivo studies aimed at evaluating the role of carbohydrates in the selective delivery of whole molecules into cancerous cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.