Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of two mixed ligand copper(II) complexes by regulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway

The single crystals of two novel mixed-ligand copper(II)-based complexes were obtained and characterized. These complexes can remarkably induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, suppress migration and metastasis, and inhibit angiogenesis to inhibit the growth of cervical cancer by down-regulating the expressions of the important proteins FAK, Akt and Erk1/2 or their phosphorylated proteins p-FAK, p-Akt, and p-Erk1/2 downstream of the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway.