2026-04-13T06:00:47Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:10256/263802026-01-17T00:37:44Zcom_2072_452955com_2072_2054col_2072_452958

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Sanz-Villafruela, Juan author Bermejo-Casadesús, Cristina author Riesco-Llach, Gerard author Massaguer i Vall-llovera, Anna author Iglesias Juncà, Mònica author Martínez Alonso, Marta author Planas i Grabuleda, Marta author Feliu Soley, Lidia author Espino, Gustavo author Massaguer i Vall-llovera, Anna author 2024-10-03 Despite advances in Ir(III) and Ru(II) photosensitizers (PSs), their lack of selectivity for cancer cells has hindered their use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). We disclose the synthesis and characterization of two pairs of Ir(III) and Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes bearing two β-carboline ligands (N^N’) functionalized with −COOMe (L1) or −COOH (L2), resulting in PSs of formulas [Ir(C^N)2(N^N’)]Cl (Ir-Me: C^N = ppy, N^N’ = L1; Ir-H: C^N = ppy, N^N’ = L2) and [Ru(N^N)2(N^N’)](Cl)2 (Ru-Me: N^N = bpy, N^N’ = L1; Ru-H: N^N = bpy, N^N’ = L2). To enhance their selectivity toward cancer cells, Ir-H and Ru-H were coupled to a bombesin derivative (BN3), resulting in the metallopeptides Ir-BN and Ru-BN. Ir(III) complexes showed higher anticancer activity than their Ru(II) counterparts, particularly upon blue light irradiation, but lacked cancer cell selectivity. In contrast, Ir-BN and Ru-BN exhibited selective photocytoxicity against prostate cancer cells, with a lower effect against nonmalignant fibroblasts. All compounds generated ROS and induced severe mitochondrial toxicity upon photoactivation, leading to apoptosis. Additionally, the ability of Ir-Me to oxidize NADH was demonstrated, suggesting a mechanism for mitochondrial damage. Our findings indicated that the conjugation of metal PSs with BN3 creates efficient PDT agents, achieving selectivity through targeting bombesin receptors and local photoactivation This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MCIN/AEI) of Spain (projects PID2021-127187OB-C21 and PID2021-127187OB-C22/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE). PhD students acknowledge their predoctoral grants to Universidad de Burgos (J.S.V., 2019/00002/008/001) and University of Girona (C.B., IFUdG2021; G.R., IFUdG2020). Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with American Chemical Society (ACS) Pròstata -- Càncer -- Tractament Prostate -- Cancer -- Treatment Fotoquimioteràpia Photochemotherapy Bombesin-Targeted Delivery of β-Carboline-Based Ir(III) and Ru(II) Photosensitizers for a Selective Photodynamic Therapy of Prostate Cancer