THE NOVEL USE OF RH(I) COMPLEXES WITH NAPHTHYRIDINE LIGANDS AND POLY(OXYETHYLENE) AS ANTITUMORALS

Rh(I) complexes adsorbed on polymers, as a way to improve their transp ort and solubility properties, were studied as antitumor agents, The b inding constants of the complexes to the polymer were evaluated in ord er to determine the conditions for maximum association to the vehicle, The toxicity of the pure complexes and those bound were determined in vivo using female mice, [Rh(NBD)(2,4N)]ClO4, complex A; where NBD=nor bornadiene, (3,4N) = 3,3'-dimethylene-2,2'-di-1,8-naphthyridine, was i nvestigated on primary solid tumors and ascitic tumors, [Rh(NBD)(3,4N) ]ClO4, complex B; where (3,4N) = 3,3'-trimethylene-2,2'-di-1,8-naphthy ridine, was investigated on ascitic tumors, These Rh(I) complexes appe ar to be promising drugs because of their solubility in aqueous polyme r, which make them easier to handle in comparison with the neutral spe cies, These complexes show a similarity to cisplatin by reducing tumor growth and by increasing the survival life span of mice, Poly (oxyeth ylene) was used to solubilize these poorly water-soluble compounds and to stabilize the compounds in the solution before injection, These st udies suggest that both complexes, A and B, are good candidates for tu mor control growth and increase the survival time.