A Novel Immunogenic Cell Death Inducer Based on Bimetallic Ferrocene Substituted Organotin Complexes

Two organo-bimetallic complexes of ferrocene and organotin were synthesized and evaluated as potential anticancer drugs. MTT results indicated that the two complexes showed excellent antitumor activity against a variety of cancer cell lines compared with cisplatin and ferrocene alone. Different from the previous similar metal drugs available, the complexes synthesized in this work have a concentration-dependent effect on immunogenic cell death (ICD) related proteins and the level of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) intracellular. The up-regulation of related proteins leads to the imbalance of mitochondrial homeostasis, and the destruction of the electron transport chain which causes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the mitochondria and induces cell death. In the wound healing assay, the complex can effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of cells. The promising results displayed by the organo-bimetallic complexes open avenues for new anticancer drugs. Two organo-bimetallic complexes of ferrocene and organotin were synthesized and their chemical purity was verified. The results of cytotoxicity test confirmed that the complex had good antitumor activity against various tumor cell lines. The ability of the complex to induce immunogenic cell death was confirmed by a series of cellular mechanism experiments. The synthesis of this drug provides hope for solving the resistance of the clinical drug cisplatin.image