Photoreactive compounds and compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): Pt(N)XXYY, wherein Xand Xare the same or different and each one is a group NRRRwherein R, Rand Rare the same or different and each can be any one of H and optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkenyl, aralkenyl, alkinyl, cycloalkenyl, or Xand Xtogether represent a group RRNRNRRwherein Rand Rhave the same meaning as before, and Rrepresents an optionally substituted divalent, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl chain, an optionally substituted divalent, saturated or unsaturated cycloalkyl or an optionally substituted divalent aryl, or Ror two or more of R, R, Rand Rand the respective N atom(s) to which they are linked, represent an optionally substituted heterocyclyl having at least one ring containing said N atom(s); and Yand Yare the same or different or when cis together represent a divalent moiety Y, wherein at least one of Yand Y, or Y, is a substantially labile ligand in the analogous Pt(II) complex without the azide groups, while being substantially resistant, in vivo, to hydrolysis and physiological reducing agents. One or more of R, R, Rand R, may further represent a covalently bonded link to at least one further complex of formula (I) to form a dimer or oligomer, or to a targeting moiety having affinity for a predetermined tissue or cell type.