Anti-Invasive and Anti-Proliferative Synergism between Docetaxel and a Polynuclear Pd-Spermine Agent

PLoS One. 2016 Nov 23;11(11):e0167218. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167218. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

The present work is aimed at evaluating the antitumour properties of a Pd(II) dinuclear complex with the biogenic polyamine spermine, by investigating: i) the anti-angiogenic and anti-migration properties of a Pd(II) dinuclear complex with spermine (Pd2Spm); ii) the anti-proliferative activity of Pd2Spm against a triple negative human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231); and finally iii) the putative interaction mediated by combination of Pd2Spm with Docetaxel. Anti-invasive (anti-angiogenic and anti-migratory) as well as anti-proliferative capacities were assessed, for different combination schemes and drug exposure times, using the CAM assay and VEGFR2 activity measurement, the MatrigelTM method and the SRB proliferation test. The results thus obtained evidence the ability of Pd2Spm to restrict angiogenesis and cell migration: Pd2Spm induced a marked inhibition of migration (43.8±12.2%), and a higher inhibition of angiogenesis (81.8±4.4% for total length values, at 4 μM) as compared to DTX at the clinical dosage 4x10-2 μM (26.4±14.4%; n = 4 to 11). Combination of Pd2Spm/DTX was more effective as anti-invasive and anti-proliferative than DTX or Pd2Spm in sole administration, which is compatible with the occurrence of synergism: for the anti-angiogenic effect, IC50(Pd2Spm/DTX) = 0.5/0.5x10-2 μM vs IC50(DTX) = 1.7x10-2 μM and IC50(Pd2Spm) = 1.6 μM. In conclusion, the reported effects of Pd2Spm on angiogenesis, migration and proliferation showed that this compound is a promising therapeutic agent against this type of breast cancer. Moreover, combined administration of Pd2Spm and DTX was found to trigger a substantial synergetic effect regarding angiogenesis inhibition as well as anti-migratory and anti-proliferative activities reinforcing the putative use of Pd(II) complexes in chemotherapeutic regimens. This is a significant outcome, aiming at the application of these combined strategies towards metastatic breast cancer (or other type of resistant cancers), justifying further studies that include pre-clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avian Proteins / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chickens
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Palladium / agonists
  • Palladium / chemistry
  • Palladium / pharmacology*
  • Spermine / agonists
  • Spermine / chemistry
  • Spermine / pharmacology*
  • Taxoids / agonists
  • Taxoids / pharmacology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Avian Proteins
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Spermine
  • Palladium
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Grants and funding

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): – UID/MULTI/00070/2013, UID/QUI/50006/2013, PhD fellowship SFRH/BD/72851/2010 and PTDC/QEQ-MED/1890/2014 (within Project 3599 – to Promote Scientific Production and Technological Development as well as the formation of thematic networks (3599-PPCDT) – jointly financed by the European Community Fund FEDER).