Cancer stem cell activity of copper(<scp>ii</scp>)-terpyridine complexes with aryl sulfonamide groups
Karampal Singh, Joshua Northcote‐Smith, Kuldip Singh, Kogularamanan Suntharalingam
Abstract
-toluene sulfonamide-bearing copper(II)-terpyridine complex 1 is 6-8-fold more potent towards breast CSCs than salinomycin (an established anti-CSC agent) and cisplatin (a metal-based anticancer drug). The copper(II)-terpyridine complex 1 also reduces the formation, size, and viability of three-dimensionally cultured mammospheres, to a similar or better extent than salinomycin and cisplatin. Mechanistic studies show that 1 successfully enters breast CSCs, generates intracellular ROS at short exposure times, partially induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, and triggers apoptosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the anti-breast CSC properties of copper(II)-terpyridine complexes.