Synthesis, characterization and anticancer properties of an oxovanadium(iv)–sunitinib complex

Abstract

As part of our efforts to develop novel and more effective metallodrugs, we have synthesized and characterized a new coordination complex between the commercially available drug sunitinib (Sun) and the oxovanadium(IV) cation. This compound, denoted as VOSun, underwent comprehensive experimental characterization, including LC-MS, NMR, EXAFS, FTIR, Raman, and EPR spectroscopies. The VOSun complex, with a proposed molecular formula C₂₂H₃₅FN₄O₁₂V₃ and a molar mass of 719.4 g mol⁻¹, consists of three vanadium moieties, a protonated sunitinib molecule, and one coordinated hydration water molecule. The stability of the VOSun complex in DMSO was confirmed over a 60-minute period through UV-vis measurements, conductivity tests, and EPR spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity assessment on human osteosarcoma (MG-63), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) and L929 (non-tumor) cells was determined by the MTT assay, revealing differences in the activity of A549 cells but no statistically significant differences were observed between the VOSun complex and sunitinib in MG-63 and L929 cells.