Synthesis, characterization and preliminary cytotoxicity assays of poly(ethylene glycol)-malonato-Pt-DACH conjugates

Oxalate 1,2-diaminocyclohexane platinum (oxaliplatin(R)), a successfully employed platinum compound belonging to the family of Pt-DACH complexes, has been conjugated to different molecular weight poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) by means of peptide spacers and a malonic acid bidentate residue. Tri- and tetrapeptidic substrates of lysosomal enzymes were used in order to increase the release of Pt-DACH complex inside the cell following endocytosis and enzymatic degradation of the peptide spacer. Other aminoacids (e.g. norleucine) have been also employed. 1H-NMR of some conjugates was performed as characterisation of the product, while 195Pt-NMR analysis was carried out to detect the rearrangement of the platinum complex from the Pt(O,O) to the Pt(O,N) form. The compound PEG(5000)-Nle-malonato-Pt-DACH (4) has been tested against L1210-implanted mice and showed and appreciable increase in cytotoxicity as compared to the reference standard Cl(2)PtDACH.