CHEMICAL PROBES FOR LEFT-HANDED DNA AND CHIRAL METAL COMPLEXES AS Z-SPECIFIC ANTI-TUMOR AGENTS

摘要

This invention concerns a coordination complex andsalts and optically resolved enantiomers thereof, ofthe formula (R)3---M, wherein R comprises1,10-phenanthroline or a substituted derivative thereof, Mcomprises a suitable transition metal, e.g. ruthenium(II) or cobalt(III), and R is bonded to M by a coordinationbond.The complexes of this invention are useful in methodsfor labeling, nicking and cleaving DNA. The lambdaenantiomer of complexes of this invention is useful inmethods for specifically labeling, detecting, nickingand cleaving Z-DNA.The complexes may also be used in a method for killingtumor cells and may be combined with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier to form a pharmaceutical compositionfor the treatment of tumor cells in a subject. Theinvention further concerns methods for treating a subjectafflicted with tumor cells.