Structure-activity relationships of new Organotin(IV) anticancer agents and their cytotoxicity profile on HL-60, MCF-7 and HeLa human cancer cell lines

Abstract There is a growing interest in the cancer cell growth inhibitory effects of organotin (IV) compounds and, accordingly, a new series of dimethyl-, di-( n -butyl)-, diphenyl- and chloro-phenyl tin(IV) complexes with a Schiff base core were prepared. Their binding to DNA was assessed by UV thermal denaturation showing no interaction and by UV–vis titration exhibiting moderate interaction by intercalation. Complexes having n -butyl substituents were more potent and cytotoxic against human leukemia, breast and cervical cancer cell lines than other organotin(IV) complexes tested. Unfortunately, some of these compounds showed similar cytotoxicity in a non-cancerous cell line. We may conclude that cytotoxic activity was dependent on the nature (lipophilicity and size, according to the structure-activity relationship studies) and substitution pattern on the different structures. These results may aid in the rational design of metallodrugs, expanding the scope of organotin complexes in formulating new metal based drugs with dibutyl moieties.