%0 Journal Article %A Steinbrueck, Axel %A Reback, Matthew L. %A Rumancev, Christoph %A Siegmund, Daniel %A Garrevoet, Jan %A Falkenberg, Gerald %A Rosenhahn, Axel %A Prokop, Aram %A Metzler-Nolte, Nils %T Quinizarin Gold(I) N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes with Synergistic Activity Against Anthracycline‐Resistant Leukaemia Cells: Synthesis and Biological Activity Studies %J Chemistry - a European journal %V 31 %N 11 %@ 0947-6539 %C Weinheim %I Wiley-VCH %M PUBDB-2025-01683 %P e202404147 %D 2025 %X New, asymmetric quinizarin-Au(I)-NHC complexes were designed, isolated, and fully characterised including by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity studies showed effective growth inhibition in HeLa cervical cancer cells with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 2.4 μM to 5.3 μM. The successful cellular uptake was evidenced by X-ray fluorescence imaging on cryo-preserved whole HeLa cells and the sub-cellular localisation was monitored by live-cell fluorescence microscopy. Notably, complex 2 b showed circumvention of acquired anthracycline resistance in K562 leukaemia cells as well as synergistic activity with doxorubicin against both wild-type and anthracycline-resistant Nalm-6 leukaemia cells. Interestingly, sub-cellular localisation towards mitochondria proved to be more important than the compounds’ overall cytotoxicity for potent antiproliferative activity and to achieve effective resistance circumvention. %B XXIX. International Conference on Coordination and Bioinorganic Chemistry %C , Bratislava (Slovakia) M2 Bratislava, Slovakia %F PUB:(DE-HGF)8 ; PUB:(DE-HGF)16 %9 Contribution to a conference proceedingsJournal Article %$ pmid:39757433 %U <Go to ISI:>//WOS:001389875200001 %R 10.1002/chem.202404147 %U https://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/627908