A novel copper(II) complex identified as a potent drug against colorectal and breast cancer cells and as a poison inhibitor for human topoisomerase IIα

•A novel copper(II) complex with a thiosemicarbazone was synthesized and characterized•Anti-proliferative activity against various colon (in one case, IC50 = 242 nM) and aggressive breast cancer cell lines•In in vitro studies, unlike most copper(II) complexes, the complex acted as a poison inhibitor of human topoisomerase IIα

A novel complex, [Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl·0.25C2H5OH 1 (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide), was shown to have anti-proliferative activity against various colon and aggressive breast cancer cell lines. In vitro studies showed that complex 1 acted as a poison inhibitor of human topoisomerase IIα, which may account for the observed anti-cancer effects.

Graphical abstractA novel copper(II) complex is shown to be a topoisomerase II poison that displays significant anti-cancer effects.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide