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In search for a drug in action by X imaging


​Some types of cancer remain resistant to chemotherapy treatments. Researchers at Irig [Collaboration with Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne University, PSL University, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA and ESRF] have studied the properties and mechanism of action of a new organometallic anti-tumoral molecule.

Published on 4 February 2019
Press release available in French.

When tested on a model of breast cancer, this compound was shown to penetrate the membranes and to accumulate intracellularly into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER in the Figure) where it is oxidized. The metabolites generated seem to attack simultaneously different parts of the cell, leading to anticancer activity.



Synchrotron radiation-enhanced fluorescence mapping of the potassium distribution, an essential physiological element of the cell (K, pink) and osmium (Os, green), a constitutive element of the osmocenic derivative of hydroxytamoxifen, within cells type triple negative breast cancer.

These results are promising because this new family of organometallic compounds could become an alternative in the arsenal of conventional chemotherapy, particularly in order to overcome resistance to current drugs while having a low cost.

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