Synthesis, structural characterization, and ability to inhibit cancer growth of a series of organotin poly(ethylene glycols)

A series of organotin poly(ethylene glycols) were synthesized including the first water soluble organotin polymers. These products are all polymeric with weight average molecular weights about 10(5). Infrared spectroscopy shows the presence of moieties from both reactants and the formation of the Sn-O linkage. F MALDI MS shows the presence of up to over a hundred units and by isotopic abundance the presence of one, two, and three tin-containing ion fragments. The polymers inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines from bone, prostate, colon, breast, and lung cancers. In a number of instances chemotherapeutic index values of two and greater are found consistent with these polymers being more active against cancer cells than non-cancerous healthy cells. Thus, some of these polymers show good promise as a new family of anticancer drugs including the water-soluble organotin-containing polymers.