In vitro anticancer activity evaluation of new cationic platinum(II) complexes based on imidazole moiety.

The development and the synthesis of cationic platinum(II) complexes were realized and their cytotoxic activity was tested on triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line and in two cell lines poorly responsive to cisplatin (DLD-1 and MCF-7). The complex 2c resulted the most potent cytotoxic agent in MDA-MB-231 (IC50=61.9µM) and more effective than cisplatin on both DLD-1 (IC50=57.4µM) and MCF-7 (IC50=79.9µM) cell lines. 2c showed different cellular uptake and pharmacodynamic properties than cisplatin, interfering with the progression of the M phase of the cell cycle. Thus, 2c represents a lead compound of a new class of cytotoxic agents with promising antitumor activity.