Novel Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with ligands incorporating azole and pyrimidine rings. I. Antiproliferative activity in vitro.

A number of co-ordination compounds of Ru(III), Rh(III), Pd(II) and Pt(II) with ligands incorporating azole and pyrimidine rings has been synthesized. The in vitro cell proliferation-inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined against human cancer cell lines: A 549 (lung carcinoma), LS-180 (colon cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer), using SRB technique. Six out of 13 compounds studied revealed cytotoxic activity in vitro. Inhibitory dose 50% (ID50) was lower than 4 microg/ml, which is an activity criterion accepted in conventional in vitro cytotoxic screening tests. Two compounds revealed weak cytotoxic activity with ID50 higher than 4 microg/ml and five compounds were inactive.