A selenium-containing ruthenium complex as a cancer radiosensitizer, rational design and the important role of ROS-mediated signalling

Abstract

A novel selenium-containing ruthenium complex Ru(phtpy)(phenSe)Cl(ClO4) (phtpy = 4-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, phenSe = 2-selenicimidazole[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline) has been synthesized and found be able to enhance radiation-induced DNA damage through superoxide overproduction, which leads to G2/M arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells by activating ROS-mediated pathways.