Co-targeting CDK 4/6 and C-MYC/STAT3/CCND1 axis and inhibition of tumorigenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition in triple negative breast cancer by Pt(II) complexes bearing NH3 as trans-co-ligand

In search of potential anticancer agents, we synthesized SNO-donor salicylaldimine main ligand-based Pt(II) complexes bearing NH3 as co-ligand at trans-position (C1-C6). These complexes showed similarity in structure with transplatin as the two N donor atoms of the main ligand and NH3 co-ligand were coordinated to Pt in trans position to each other. Each complex with different substituents on the main ligand was characterized thoroughly by detailed spectroscopic and spectrophotometric methods. Four of these complexes were studied in solid state by single crystal X-ray analysis. The stability of reference complex C1 was measured in solution state in DMSO-d6 or its mixture with D2O using 1H NMR methods. These complexes were further investigated for their anticancer activity in triple-negative-breast (TNBC) cells including MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-436 cells. All these complexes showed satisfactory cytotoxic effect as revealed by the MTT results. Importantly, the highly active complex C4 anticancer effect was compared to the standard chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Functionally, C4 suppressed invasion, spheroids formation ability and clonogenic potential of cancer cells. C4 showed synergistic anticancer effect when used in combination with palbociclib, JQ1 and paclitaxel in TNBC cells. Mechanistically, C4 inhibited cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 pathway and targeted the expressions of MYC/STAT3/CCND1/CNNE1 axis. Furthermore, C4 suppressed the EMT signaling pathway that suggested a role of C4 in the inhibition of TNBC metastasis. Our findings may pave further in detailed mechanistic study on these complexes as potential chemotherapeutic agents in different types of human cancers.