Cationic polymers and N-heterocyclic carbene-metal complexes as anti-cancer stem cell chemotherapeutics

Overview & Synopsis

This work focuses on the evaluation of the potential of new compounds as anti-cancer stem cell (CSC) chemotherapeutics. These cells make up a sub-population of tumours which pos-sess stem-cell like characteristics, making them resistant to current chemotherapies and thus responsible for tumour recurrence. Thus, the development of new chemotherapeutics which may successfully eliminate these cells is of interest. Chemical compounds, specifically novel NHC-Ir(III) and NHC-Pt(II) compounds and the cationic polymer PEI, were evaluated for their capacity to act as such anti-CSC agents. The study revealed a promising anti-CSC activi-ty of the NHC-Ir(III) compound which induced a caspase redundant cell death. Surprisingly, PEI showed a level of toxicity against CSCs which was several times higher than against bulk tumour cell lines. The anti-inflammatory properties of PEI were also assessed.