Self-Assembling Metallocomplexes of the Amphiphilic 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane Derivative as a Platform for the Development of Nonplatinum Anticancer Drugs

New 1-cetyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide complexes with copper(II) bromide and lanthanum(III) nitrate were characterized using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, with self-assembly and the morphological behavior elucidated. For the lanthanum(III) nitrate complex, the 3D crystal structure was characterized using X-ray diffractometry. These metallosurfactants were tested as antitumor agents, and a high cytotoxic effect comparable with doxorubicin was revealed against the M-HeLa and A-549 cell lines. Both complexes were 2 times more active toward the MCF-7 cell line than the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. The cytotoxic mechanism of complexes is assumed to be related to the induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.

Automated summary

This study characterized new 1-cetyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide complexes with copper(II) bromide and lanthanum(III) nitrate using various techniques and tested their antitumor activity. The complexes exhibited high cytotoxic effects against M-HeLa and A-549 cell lines, comparable to doxorubicin, and were twice as active as tamoxifen against the MCF-7 cell line. The cytotoxic mechanism of the complexes may involve induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.