This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the structural modification and bioactivity of a series of tribenzyltin complexes with different ligands and substitutions. Complexation with the N,N-diisopropylcarbamothioylsulfanylacetate or isonicotinate ligands enhanced the anticancer properties of tribenzyltin compounds via delayed cancer cell-cycle progression, caspase-dependent apoptosis induction, and significant reduction in cell motility, migration and invasion. Halogenation of the benzyl ring improved the anticancer effects of the tribenzyltin compounds with the N,N-diisopropylcarbamothioylsulfanylacetate ligand. These compounds also demonstrated far greater anticancer effects and selectivity than cisplatin and doxorubicin, which provides a rationale for their further development as anticancer agents.
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