The impact of albumin conjugation on the cytotoxic properties of cisplatin, oxaliplatin and auranofin in cancer cells

Bioconjugates of human serum albumin with cisplatin, oxaliplatin and auranofin were prepared and characterised using ESI-MS and ICP-OES. These bioconjugates were then tested for their cytotoxic properties in A2780 and HCT116 cancer cells. Interestingly, while the platinum drugs lost almost all of their biological activity upon protein conjugation, the auranofin conjugate retained appreciable anticancer properties. ICP analyses revealed significant metal uptake in A2780 cells in both cases, highlighting the distinct biological roles and fates of these albumin-bound metallodrugs.