Anticancer Tungstenocenes with a Diverse Set of (O,O–), (O,S–) and (O,N–) Chelates—A Detailed Biological Study Using an Improved Evaluation via 3D Spheroid Models

The synthesis, characterization and biological activity of tungstenocenes with varying biologically active (O,O–), (S,O–) (N,O–) chelates are described. Complexes were characterized by 1H 13C NMR, elemental analysis, ESI-mass spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy X-ray diffraction analysis. aqueous stability was studied UV/Vis the WIV to WV process cyclic voltammetry. cytotoxicity determined MTT assay in A549, CH1/PA-1 SW480 cancer cells as well IMR-90 human fibroblasts. Extensive evaluation performed three other cell lines (HCT116, HT29 MCF-7) monolayer multicellular tumor spheroid cultures better understand mode action. Lead compounds showed promising vitro anticancer all lines. Further studies yielded important insights into apoptosis induction, ROS generation, different patterns metal distribution (detected LA-ICP-TOF-MS), changes KI67 (proliferation marker) expression DNA interactions. results based on qualitative quantitative research designs show that complexes containing more than their (O,O–) counterparts. most striking models high antiproliferative capacity pattern two differing only a W–S or W–O bond.