Biotinylated photoactive Pt(IV) anticancer complexes

Novel biotinylated diazido-Pt(IV) complexes exhibit high visible light photocytotoxicity while being stable in the dark. Photocytotoxicity and cellular accumulation of all-trans-[Pt(py)2(N3)2(biotin)(OH)] (2a) were enhanced significantly when bound to avidin; irradiation induced dramatic cellular morphological changes in human ovarian cancer cells treated with 2a.