Platinum complexes with one radiosensitizing ligand [PtCl2(NH3) (sensitizer)]: radiosensitization and toxicity studies in vitro.

Complexes of general formula [PtCl2(NH3)L] with one radiosensitizing ligand per platinum are compared with ligand L alone, complexes with two radiosensitizers per platinum [PtCl2L2], and their analogs with NH3 ligands, with respect to radiosensitizing properties and toxicity in CHO cells. Radiosensitizing ligands, L, were misonidazole, metronidazole, 4(5)-nitroimidazole, and 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole, and the ammine analogs were cis- and trans-DDP [diamminedichloroplatinum(II)] and the monoammine, K[PtCl3(NH3)]. Results are related to a previous study on plasmid DNA binding by these series. The toxicity of the mono series [PtCl2(NH3)L], attributable to DNA binding, is much higher than the corresponding bis complexes, [PtCl2L2]. For L = misonidazole, toxicity is similar to the monoammine, but higher in hypoxic than in aerobic cells. trans-[PtCl2(NH3)-(misonidazole)] is more toxic than the cis isomer. Except for L = 4(5)-nitroimidazole, the complexes [PtCl2(NH3)L] are more toxic than L in air and hypoxia. Hypoxic radiosensitization by the mono complexes is comparable to the monoammine and is not better than free sensitizers, again except for L = 4(5)-nitroimidazole. Significantly lower sensitization is observed in oxic cells. The bis complexes [PtCl2L2], which do not bind to DNA as well as the mono complexes, are less effective radiosensitizers and less toxic than the [PtCl2(NH3)L] series.