Targeting the mitochondria represents an effective approach for cancer therapy and offer new opportunities for anticancer drug development. Here, we describe the results of biological studies of AuPHOS-19, a gold-based small-molecule that inhibits the growth of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and tumor growth. AuPHOS-19 localizes in the mitochondria and inhibits mitochondria respiration to induce significant AMPK activation. Cancer cell selective depolarization of the mitochondria membrane, accumulation of mitochondria ROS and depletion of mitochondria DNA provides further indication that AuPHOS-19 perturbs mitochondria function as its mechanism of action. AuPHOS-19 inhibits tumor growth in TNBC tumor bearing mice. Our study further highlights the potential that exist in developing metal-based small molecules for cancer therapy.

AuPHOS-19 is a gold-based small molecule that accumulates in the mitochondria to inhibit triple-negative breast cancer via AMPK activation

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.