Spectroscopic studies of copper(II) and iron(II) complexes of adriamycin

The complexes of adriamycin (ADM) with Cu(II) and Fe(II) have been studied by visible absorption, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra, re spectively. In Tris buffer at pH 7.0, either metal ions forms a single spec ies with adriamycin: Cu(ADM)(2) or Fe(ADM)(3). Interaction of these two com plexes with various biological molecules has been examined. It is shown tha t some amino acids, glutathione and albumin are able to remove the Cu(II) i on from Cu(II)-ADM complex, releasing the free drug. However, Fe(II)-ADM ke eps in an undissociated form under the same conditions. The possibility of Fe(II)-ADM as a new alternative drug has been discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.