Studies on the Antitumor Properties of K[PT(Caffeine)Cl3] and its Effect in Combination with the Anticancer Compound, Cis-DDP

In 1965 Rosenberg et al. were investigating the effect of an electric field on growth processes in bacteria. Electric current was passed through a set of platinum electrodes built into a growth chamber. Cell division in bacteria submitted to this treatment was inhibited although growth was not. Curiously enough, Rosenberg and coworkers found after extensive research that the cessation of cell division was not a result of the applied electric current but was actually caused by the electrolysis products of the platinum electrode.1 These Pt complexes were isolated and later tested for antitumor activity. Rosenberg showed tbat certain of these Pt complexes were effective anticancer agents against Sarcoma 180 and Leukemia L1210 in mice, the most notable complex being platinum diamminedichloride (cis-DDP).