A cyclometalated iridium(III) complex that inhibits the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells

•A novel cyclometalated iridium(III) complex Ir1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.•Ir1 exhibited both antimetastatic and antineoplastic properties.

A cyclometalated iridium(III) complex, [Ir(ppy)2(PCN)]Cl (Ir1, ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, PCN = 2-(4-cyanophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10] phenanthroline), was synthesized and characterized in the present study. Ir1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Ir1 down-regulated the phosphorylation of AKT/ERK signal pathways. According to confocal fluorescence microscopy analysis, Ir1 was primarily localized within the mitochondria and induced apoptosis through an intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Thus, Ir1 exhibited both antimetastatic and antineoplastic properties, indicating that Ir1 may be a viable drug candidate in antimetastasis and anticancer therapies.

Graphical AbstractA novel cyclometalated iridium(III) complex exhibited both antimetastatic and antineoplastic properties by inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide