Monitoring Apoptotic Activity of Silver(I) Metallodrugs Containing Mefenamic Acid and Mitochondriotropic Agents in Artificial Breast Tumor Tissues
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The anticancer potential of silver(I) metallodrugs incorporating mefenamic acid and mitochondriotropic agents in 3D spheroid models of hormone‐dependent breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) is investigated within this work. The compounds, previously evaluated in 2D cultures, demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity with IC 50 values ranging from 1.01 to 5.20 μM, significantly outperforming cisplatin. Here, 3D spheroids are employed to simulate the tumor microenvironment, assessing drug efficacy through morphological changes and apoptosis rates. Compounds 1–4 exhibited dose‐ and time‐dependent reductions in spheroid compactness and sphericity, with compound 2 achieving complete loss of compactness (0%) and sphericity (2%) at 10 μM after 48 h. Apoptotic activity is also significantly higher in 3D spheroids treated with these compounds with respect to their control (25.8%−41.4%), in contrast to cisplatin (24.4%) and untreated cells (8.0%). The results validate the superior efficacy of silver(I) complexes in disrupting tumor integrity and inducing apoptosis. This study underscores the potential of 3D spheroid models for preclinical evaluation and highlights silver(I) metallodrugs as promising candidates for breast cancer therapy. Future research should focus on in vivo validation to further explore their therapeutic applications.
Source: ChemMedChem
Authors: Christina N. Banti, Sotiris K. Hadjikakou
Institution: University of Ioannina
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,150
Funders: European Commission, European Social Fund
Awards: G3245904220, G4883533593, G7799207878
OpenAlex ID: W4415255058