The interaction of the anti-cancer drug cisplatin with phospholipids is specific for negatively charged phospholipids and takes place at low chloride ion concentration.

The interaction of the anti-cancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisPt) with model membranes was studied, with emphasis on the cisPt and phospholipid species involved. Binding studies using large unilamellar vesicles have revealed that: (i) Interaction involved negatively charged phospholipids only, and (ii) Interaction with negatively charged phospholipids was observed only in buffers with low Cl- concentration, indicating that aquated, positively charged cisPt is involved. Binding to all negatively charged phospholipids tested was highest at pH 6.0. At pH 7.4 a high and specific binding was observed with phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine. The consequences of cisPt binding on the organization of lipids was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry studies. These studies have indicated a higher ordering of dispersions of negatively charged phospholipids in the presence of divalent cationic cisPt. Summarizing, the interaction of positively charged cisPt species with negatively charged phospholipids is significant and should be considered in in vivo experiments.