Cytotoxicity of η6-areneruthenium-based molecules to glioblastoma cells and their recognition by multidrug ABC transporters

A series of amphiphilic η6-areneruthenium(II) compounds were synthesized, characterized, and their biological activity evaluated in human glioblastoma cell lines. Compound recognition by ABC transporters (P-gp, MRP1, and ABCG2) was investigated. Results evidenced that one of the cationic phenylazo-based η6-areneruthenium(II) compound was cytotoxic for all human glioblastoma cell lines tested, despite its transport by the three multidrug efflux proteins.232