A multi-target gold(I) complex induces cytotoxicity related to aneuploidy in HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma cells.

A novel alkynyl phosphane gold(I) complex (trimethylphosphane)(3-(1,3-dimethylxanthine-7-yl)prop-1-yn-1yl)gold(I) 1 displayed mutiple biological acitivites including selective proliferation inhibitory, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects. The complex also induced effects related to aneuploidy in HCT-116 colon carcinoma cells, which might be mainly ascribed to the dysfunction of mitochondrial bioenergetics and downregulation of glycosis. Induction of aneuploidy beyond a critical level can provide an effective strategy to target cancer, in particular colorectal tumours with a low tolerance of aneuploidy, and could be of relevance for 1 and other metallodrugs.