Phototherapy is a medical treatment that utilizes light to activate the therapeutic effects of drug molecules. The use of phototherapy as a treatment option for cancer is becoming more widespread as many chemotherapeutics have harsh side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have the possibility of reducing the symptoms of current chemotherapeutics due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Additionally, NSAIDs should have an increased uptake into cancer cells as they bind to cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), which are highly expressed in cancer cells and aid in the progression and growth of tumors. Three sets of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with NSAIDs attached at different distances from the metal center were synthesized. The antioxidant properties, DNA binding, and the inhibition of the lipoxygenase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes were tested. The data shows promising results for these complexes to potentially be used as dual mechanism light-activated chemotherapeutics.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with attached NSAIDs as potential dual mechanism of action therapeutics

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