DMSO reduces the cytotoxicity of anticancer ruthenium complex KP1019 in yeast

Low solubility in aqueous solutions is a significant limitation of the otherwise promising anticancer ruthenium complex KP1019. In laboratory studies, this challenge is often overcome by using DMSO to help drive the drug into solution. Since DMSO was previously shown to alter the bioactivity of platinum-based chemotherapeutics, here we examine DMSO’s effects on KP1019. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, we apply multiple measures of growth inhibition to demonstrate that DMSO reduces the drug’s toxicity. This reduction in bioactivity correlates with spectrophotometric changes consistent with DMSO-dependent increases in the stability of the KP1019 pro-drug. The impact of DMSO on the biology and chemistry of KP1019 suggests this solvent should not be used in studies of this and similar anticancer ruthenium complexes.