Platinum(terpyridine) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene co-ligands: high antiproliferative activity and low toxicity in vivo .
Matthew P SullivanMuneebah AdamsMie RiisomCaitlin D HerbertKelvin K H TongJonathan W AstinStephen M F JamiesonMuhammad HanifDavid C GoldstoneChristian G HartingerPublished in: Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003) (2023)
Pt(terpyridine) complexes are well-known DNA intercalators. The introduction of an NHC co-ligand rendered such a complex highly antiproliferative in cancer cells compared to its chlorido derivative. Despite the high potency, zebrafish embryos tolerated the compound well, especially compared to cisplatin. DNA interaction studies support a mode of action related to intercalation.