Anti-cancer activity of a novel palladium(II) complex on human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Anti-cancer effects of a newly-synthesized palladium(II) complex, [Pd(sac)(terpy)](sac)·4H2O (sac = saccharinate, and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine), were tested against human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The Pd complex had a strong anti-growth effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. This effect was also confirmed by the experiment performed on Balb/c mice in vivo. The IC50 values were 0.09 μM for MDA-MB-231 and 3.05 μM for MCF-7. It was also very effective in disrupting the formation of MDA-MB-231 tubules on matrigel, indicative of a putative anti-invasive activity. It induced apoptosis via the cell death genes of DR4 and DR5. In conclusion, this newly-synthesized Pd (II) complex represents a potentially active novel drug for the breast cancer treatment.

Graphical abstractA new palladium complex against human breast cancer cell lines, showing better cytotoxic activity than paclitaxel and cisplatin by inducing apoptosis via the activation of cell death receptor, DR5.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel palladium(II) complex, [Pd(sac)(terpy)](sac)·4H2O, as an anti-cancer agent. ► Anti-tumor activity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in vitro and in vivo. ► Induces apoptosis via a cell death receptor, DR5, and inhibits invasion as well.