Synthesis and characterization of Pt complexes containing dichloroacetate (DCA), designed for dual anticancer action

A group of new Pt(II) complexes with dichloroacetate (DCA), bearing DMSO (cis-[Pt(DCA)2(Me2SO-S)2], 2) or phosphines (cis-[Pt(DCA)2(PPh3)(Me2SO-S)], 3, cis-[Pt(DCA)2(P)2], P = PPh33a, P = PTA 4a and [Pt(DCA)(P)3]DCA, P = PPh33b, P = PTA, 4b) as neutral ligands was prepared by a simple fast route from the inorganic synthon [PtCO3(Me2SO-S)2], 1. The X-ray crystal structures of 2, 3, 3a and 4a were determined. The antiproliferative activity of 2, 4a, and 4b was evaluated against two human cancer cell lines, cisplatin sensitive A2780 and cisplatin resistant SKOV-3, and the results were compared with known amine analogues and with the dichloride precursors.