Therapeutic Potential of a Pyridoxal-Based Vanadium(IV) Complex Showing Selective Cytotoxicity for Cancer Versus Healthy Cells

Vanadium compounds can exert anticancer effects, partly due to inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases. Here, we report the effect of N,N-ethylenebis (pyridoxylideneiminato) vanadium (IV) complex (Pyr(2)enV(IV)), that induced 93% and 57% of cell mortality in A375 (human melanoma) and A549 (human lung carcinoma) cells, respectively; the mortality was <24% in other cancer cell lines and in human normal epidermal keratinocytes, lung cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. (2)enV(IV) effect relied on apoptosis induction; this was triggered by ROS increase, followed by mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Indeed, the addition of N-acetyl cysteine to cell cultures abated Pyr(2)enV(IV)-induced apoptosis. (2)enV(IV) and its mechanism, relying on intracellular ROS increase. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2202-2209, 2013. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.