In Vitro and In Vivo Effect of Palladacycles: Targeting A2780 Ovarian Carcinoma Cells and Modulation of Angiogenesis.

Palladacycles are versatile organometallic compounds that show potential for therapeutic use. Here are described the synthesis and characterization of mono- and dinuclear palladacycles bearing diphosphines. Their biological effect was investigated in A2780, an ovarian-derived cancer line, and in normal dermal fibroblasts. The compounds displayed selective cytotoxicity toward the A2780 cell line. Compound decreased the cell viability through cell cycle retention in G0/G1, triggered apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway, and induced autophagy in A2780 cells. Compound also induced cell cycle retention, apoptosis, and cellular detachment. Notably, compound induced the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our work demonstrated that compound enters A2780 cells via active transport, which requires energy, while compound enters A2780 cells mostly passively. The potential effect of palladacycles in angiogenesis was investigated for the first time in an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane model, showing that while compound displayed an antiangiogenic effect crucial to fighting cancer progression, compound promoted angiogenesis. These results show that palladacycles may be used in different clinical applications where pro- or antiangiogenic effects may be desirable.