skip to main content


Search for: All records

Creators/Authors contains: "Gibson, Heather"

Note: When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
What is a DOI Number?

Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.

  1. Abstract

    Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) suppress the cancer immune response and are a key target for immunotherapy. The effects of ruthenium and rhodium complexes on TAMs have not been well characterized. To address this gap in the field, a panel of 22 dirhodium and ruthenium complexes were screened against three subtypes of macrophages, triple‐negative breast cancer and normal breast tissue cells. Experiments were carried out in 2D and biomimetic 3D co‐culture experiments with and without irradiation with blue light. Leads were identified with cell‐type‐specific toxicity toward macrophage subtypes, cancer cells, or both. Experiments with 3D spheroids revealed complexes that sensitized the tumor models to the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. Cell surface exposure of calreticulin, a known facilitator of immunogenic cell death (ICD), was increased upon treatment, along with a concomitant reduction in the M2‐subtype classifier arginase. Our findings lay a strong foundation for the future development of ruthenium‐ and rhodium‐based chemotherapies targeting TAMs.

     
    more » « less