Somatostatin (growth-inhibiting hormone) is a cyclic tetradecapeptide

overexpressed in a variety of neoplastic tumours, but has a short natural lifetime. Analogues such as octreotate (tate) a cyclic octapeptide, possess longer lifetimes owing to the presence of D-amino acids. Gaviglio et al. have prepared four conjugates of a PtIV-succinato complex (10, as a CDDP prodrug) with both pNT and tate peptides ( Figure 3a). All four conjugates (31-35) displayed similar IC50 values to that of the precursor in the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Additionally, in the HepG2 human hepatocytes and PT45 pancreatic cell lines, the presence of an extra tate residue (35) did not enhance interaction with the SSTR2 receptor [ 36••]. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are another well-known class of drug carriers due to their ability to pass through cell membranes. The TAT Autophagy inhibitor peptide is a widely studied CPP. Conjugates of the TAT peptide (YGRKKRRQRRR) with a PtIV analogue of oxaliplatin generated complexes (36 and 37, Figure 3b)

were >4× more potent in ovarian, colon and lung cancer cells lines than the free PtIV analogues of oxaliplatin. The diconjugate 37 displayed slightly lower cytotoxicity, indicating that an extra TAT peptide does not enhance the cytotoxicity [37]. Integrins, MAPK inhibitor heterodimeric cell-adhesion proteins associated with tumour angiogenesis and metastasis, are upregulated in tumour cells compared to low levels in normal endothelial cells. Polymer NPs with a PtIV cisplatin

prodrug (38, Figure 3c) encapsulated in the core and targeted to αvβ3 integrin-expressing cells using the cyclic pentapeptide c(RGDfk) (38) showed a 6-fold enhancement in the in vitro cytotoxicity towards MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines compared to CDDP. In vivo studies revealed equivalent tumour growth inhibition (ca. 60%) by both 38 and cisplatin in mice bearing A2780 xenografts [ 38••]. The Warburg effect, the ability of http://www.selleck.co.jp/products/Metformin-hydrochloride(Glucophage).html cancer cells to produce energy through a high rate of glycolysis, helps tumours cells survive. The FDA-approved anticancer agent dichloroacetate (DCA) can reverse the Warburg effect. The PtIV prodrug Mitaplatin (39) contains two DCA units, and once internalised is reduced to cisplatin which can attack nuclear DNA, while the DCA can attack mitochondria selectively. Mitaplatin alters the mitochondrial membrane potential of cancer cells, promoting apoptosis by releasing cytochrome c and translocating apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria to the nucleus. The cytotoxicity of 39 is equivalent or exceeds most well-known PtIV complexes and is comparable to CDDP [39•]. Phase I, II and III trials of Lipoplatin™ (composed of 8.9% cisplatin and 91.1% lipids, w/w, with an average diameter of 110 nm) have reported no renal toxicity. Stathopoulos et al. have investigated the use of lipoplatin as both a mono-therapy and in combination with taxanes in cancer patients with renal insufficiency.