Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, in which chronic inflammation and redox dysregulation are key drivers of tumor progression. Here, we report a rationally designed famil Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, in which chronic inflammation and redox dysregulation are key drivers of tumor progression. Here, we report a rationally designed family of NSAID-derived alkyne ligands coordinated to JohnPhos-gold(I) fragments, affording eight new alkynyl gold(I) derivatives. Complexes based on naproxen, ibuprofen, and salicylic acid derivatives display potent antiproliferative activity against Caco-2/TC7 colon cancer cells, outperforming oxaliplatin and being comparable to auranofin, while showing markedly reduced cytotoxicity in breast cancer lines and nonmalignant cells, thus indicating promising selectivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that the most active complex, [Au(L1)JP] (1), which contains a naproxen-derived alkyne, inhibits thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), triggers ROS overproduction, disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential, and induces G1-phase arrest while only marginally increasing apoptosis. This suggests the involvement of additional forms of cell death or cytostatic effects. Additionally, complex 1 selectively inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) over COX-1 and reduces IL-8 expression without affecting PTGS2 transcription, highlighting a post-transcriptional anti-inflammatory action. These results support NSAID-derived alkynyl gold(I) complexes as promising multitarget agents for colorectal cancer intervention, combining disruption and COX-2 modulation. Show less
Targeting inflammation and the molecules involved in the inflammatory process could be an effective cancer prevention and therapy strategy. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory strategies, such as Show more
Targeting inflammation and the molecules involved in the inflammatory process could be an effective cancer prevention and therapy strategy. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory strategies, such as NSAIDs and metal-based drugs, has become a promising approach for preventing and treating cancer by targeting multiple pathways involved in tumor progression. The present work describes new phosphane gold(I) complexes derived from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as multitarget drugs against colon cancer. The antiproliferative effect of the most active complexes, [Au(L3)(JohnPhos)] (3b), [Au(L4)(CyJohnPhos)] (4a) and [Au(L4)(JohnPhos)] (4b) against colon cancer cells (Caco2-/TC7) seems to be mediated by the inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1/2, modulation of reactive oxygen species levels by targeting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, the three complexes exhibit high selectivity index values toward noncancerous cells. The research highlights the importance of maintaining cellular redox balance and the role of TrxR in cancer cell survival. Show less