Inhibition of 3D colon cancer stem cell spheroids by cytotoxic Ru^II-<i>p</i>-cymene complexes of mesalazine derivatives

Abstract

The Ru(ii) complex of an imidazole-mesalazine Schiff base is a unique example showing growth inhibition of 3D-colon cancer stem cell spheroids and bulk colon cancer cells at lower dosage than salinomycin or oxaliplatin. Unlike oxaliplatin which increases the expression of stemness genes (SOX2, KLF4, HES1 and Oct4), these complexes maintain a tight regulation.