A rhodamine-coordinated iridium complex to overcome cisplatin-resistant cancer via regulating mitochondrial function triggered apoptosis and ferroptosis

Modulating mitochondrial activity to regulate cancer cell homeostatic recycling presents a promising approach to overcome tumor resistance. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel mitochondria-targeting agents and innovative strategies. We have developed [((η5-Cp∗)Ir(rhod)]2+2PF6− (Ir-rhod),...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juanjuan Li, Guibin Gao, Wenrui Ouyang, Jinkun Huang, Hongxing Liu, Jin Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Redox Biology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231725000497
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Summary:Modulating mitochondrial activity to regulate cancer cell homeostatic recycling presents a promising approach to overcome tumor resistance. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel mitochondria-targeting agents and innovative strategies. We have developed [((η5-Cp∗)Ir(rhod)]2+2PF6− (Ir-rhod), a new mitochondria-targeted iridium complex that exhibits greater cytotoxicity towards A549R (cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer) cells compared to the ligand rhod. Ir-rhod's mitochondrial targeting ability stems from both rhodamine's inherent mitochondrial affinity and the complex's positive bivalent nature. The positively charged Ir-rhod enters cells and is drawn to mitochondria due to the high transmembrane potential in tumor cells. Notably, rhodamine enables real-time observation of Ir-rhod's dynamic distribution in vivo. Ir-rhod influences mitochondrial function, triggering tumor cell ferroptosis and apoptosis by modulating ACSL4 and GPX4. The targeting effect of Ir-rhod reduces its systemic toxicity in vivo, enhancing its biosafety profile. To our knowledge, Ir-rhod is an effective mitochondria-targeted Ir complex capable of inducing tumor cell death by disrupting mitochondrial function, offering a potent strategy to suppress cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer.
ISSN:2213-2317