Introduction

The IEA SO-PRETTY (International Emerging Action SODmimics-Oxaliplatine Platinum(IV) conjugates with REduced ToxiciTY), managed by Dr. Hélène Bertrand (CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, Sorbonne Université – Ecole Normale Supérieure – Paris Sciences et Lettres) in collaboration with Institut Cochin (Prof. Frédéric Batteux and Prof. Romain Coriat) and the departments of Chemistry (Prof. Wee Han Ang) and Pharmacy (Prof. Giorgia Pastorin) of National University of Singapore will be effective in 2020 and 2021.

Missions and research themes

Pt anticancer drugs are efficient chemotherapeutic agents extensively used in clinics but their toxicity limits their efficacy. These compounds, such as Oxaliplatin (Ox), produce a burst of intracellular oxidative stress leading to cancer cells’ death through a higher sensitivity to the increased oxidative stress. Ox is an efficient chemotherapeutic agent widely used in clinics with a main indication in metastatic colorectal cancer. However, a major limiting factor in its administration is its toxicity and in particular the peripheral neuropathy it induces, which pathophysiology has been linked to the oxidative burst generated. Several modulators of the redox balance have demonstrated interesting results in counteracting Ox-induced neurotoxicity. In this context, we wish to evaluate the relevance of small metallic complexes, mimics of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) a metalloenzyme involved in oxidative stress management, in clinical settings to answer the critical need of increasing Ox therapeutic index.

MAIN projects of research

institutions and laboratories involved

France:
• Dr Hélène Bertrand (Laboratoire des Biomolécules, CNRS-Sorbonne Université – ENS-PSL)

• Prof. Frédéric Batteux and Prof. Romain Coriat (Institut Cochin).

Singapore:
• Prof. Wee Han Ang (Department of Chemistry, NUS) ; Prof. Giorgia Pastorin (Department of Pharmacy, NUS).