Unlocking Selective Anticancer Mechanisms: Dinuclear Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics Combined with Pt(II) Complexes.

We conducted an in-depth exploration of the in vitro activities of the dinuclear Mn ₂ L ₂ Ac and Mn ₂ L ₂ complexes (where HL=2-{[di(2-pyridyl)methylamino]-methyl}phenol), possessing dual superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. We investigated these complexes both individually and in conjunction with various Pt(II)-complexes, either as mixtures or as the Mn ₂ -Pt adducts. Our findings revealed a notable up to 50 % enhancement in the viability of healthy human breast cells, contrasted with a viability decrease as low as 50 % in breast cancer cells upon combined treatments with Mn ₂ SOD mimics and Pt(II) complexes. Specifically, we synthesized and characterized the self-assembled Mn ₂ -Pt adducts (isolated Mn ₂ L ₂ Pt and in situ Mn ₂ L ₂ Pt'), linking Mn ₂ L ₂ -core with the carboxylate group of PtDAPCl ₂ (dichloro(2,3-diaminopropionic acid) platinum(II)). The SOD activity of the isolated Mn ₂ L ₂ Pt adduct (k _SOD =1.7×10 ⁷  M ^-1  s ^-1 ) remained intact. Through in vitro cell viability assessments, ROS levels, cellular Mn uptake and proteomics measurements, we elucidated key mechanisms underlying the observed biological effects. We demonstrated that Mn ₂ -containing formulations predominantly target mitochondrial processes, differently affecting the proteome of cancerous and healthy cells. They induced downregulation of H ₂ S signaling and expression of mitochondrial complex I and III, as well as increased oxidative phosphorylation pathways and upregulation of EGFR in cancer cells. In contrast, healthy cells showed a decrease in EGFR expression and a moderate enrichment in oxidative phosphorylation pathways.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)