Selenite-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loaded with an anti-tumor Pt( ii )–pyrophosphate complex were prepared to treat bone tumors and metastases by local release of multiple chemotherapeutic agents.

Six platinum(IV) compounds derived from an oxaliplatin analogue containing the unsaturated cyclic diamine trans-1,2-diamino-4-cyclohexene (DACHEX), in place of the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, and a range of axial ligands, were synthesized and characterized. The derivatives with at least one axial chlorido ligand demonstrated solvent-assisted photoreduction. The electrochemical redox behavior was investigated by cyclic voltammetry; all compounds showed reduction potentials suitable for activation in vivo. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data indicated an X-ray-induced surface reduction of the Pt(IV) substrates, which correlates with the reduction potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry. The cytotoxic activity was assessed in vitro on a panel of human cancer cell lines, also including oxaliplatin-resistant cancer cells, and compared with that of the reference compounds cisplatin and oxaliplatin; all IC₅₀ values were remarkably lower than those elicited by cisplatin and somewhat lower than those of oxaliplatin. Compared to the other Pt(IV) compounds of the series, the bis-benzoate derivative was by far (5–8 times) the most cytotoxic showing that low reduction potential and high lipophilicity are essential for good cytotoxicity. Interestingly, all the complexes proved to be more active than cisplatin and oxaliplatin even in three-dimensional spheroids of A431 human cervical cancer cells.

Kiteplatin-pyrophosphate (PtPP) loaded hydroxyapatite nanoparticles effectively reduce breast cancer cell in vivo , which opens up new opportunities for controlled local treatment of bone metastases.

Kiteplatin, [PtCl₂(cis-1,4-DACH)] (DACH = diaminocyclohexane), contains an isomeric form of the oxaliplatin diamine ligand trans-1R,2R-DACH and has been proposed as a valuable drug candidate against cisplatin- and oxaliplatin-resistant tumors, in particular, colorectal cancer. To further improve the activity of kiteplatin, it has been transformed into a Pt(IV) prodrug by the addition of two benzoato groups in the axial positions. The new compound, cis,trans,cis-[PtCl₂(OBz)₂(cis-1,4-DACH)] (1; OBz = benzoate), showed cytotoxic activity at nanomolar concentration against a wide panel of human cancer cell lines. Based on these very promising results, the investigation has been extended to the in vivo activity of compound 1 in a Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model and its suitability for oral administration. Compound 1 resulted to be remarkably stable in acidic conditions (pH 1.5 to mimic the stomach environment) undergoing a drop of the initial concentration to ~60% of the initial one only after 72 h incubation at 37 °C; thus resulting amenable for oral administration. Interestingly, in a murine model (2·10⁶ LLC cells implanted i.m. into the right hind leg of 8-week old male and female C57BL mice), a comparable reduction of tumor mass (~75%) was observed by administering compound 1 by oral gavage and the standard drug cisplatin by intraperitoneal injection, thus indicating that, indeed, there is the possibility of oral administration for this dibenzoato prodrug of kiteplatin. Moreover, since the mechanism of action of Pt(IV) prodrugs involves an initial activation by chemical reduction to cytotoxic Pt(II) species, the reduction of 1 by two bioreductants (ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate and glutathione) was investigated resulting to be rather slow (not complete after 120 h incubation at 37 °C). Finally, the neurotoxicity of 1 was evaluated using an in vitro assay.

The last century was dominated by the widespread use of plastics, both in terms of invention and increased usage. The environmental challenge we currently face is not just about reducing plastic usage but finding new ways to manage plastic waste. Recycling is growing but remains a small part of the solution. There is increasing focus on studying organisms and processes that can break down plastics, offering a modern approach to addressing the environmental crisis. Here, we provide an overview of the organisms associated with plastics biodegradation, and we explore the potential of harnessing and integrating their genetic and biochemical features into a single organism, such as Drosophila melanogaster. The remarkable genetic engineering and microbiota manipulation tools available for this organism suggest that multiple features could be amalgamated and modeled in the fruit fly. We outline feasible genetic engineering and gut microbiome engraftment strategies to develop a new class of plastic-degrading organisms and discuss of both the potential benefits and the limitations of developing such engineered Drosophila melanogaster strains.

A new family of anticancer compounds has been derived from oxaliplatin by inserting a double-bond between carbons 4 and 5 of the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane ring.