digilib@itb.ac.id +62 812 2508 8800

Mitochondria play a critical role in tumorigenesis.Targeting mitochondria and disturbing related events have beenemerging as a promising way for chemotherapy. In this work, twobinuclear rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes of the general formula[Re2(CO)6(dip)2L](PF6)2(dip = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; L =4,4?-azopyridine (ReN) or 4,4?-dithiodipyridine (ReS)) were synthesizedand characterized.ReNandReScan react with glutathione (GSH). Theyexhibit good in vitro anticancer activity against cancer cell lines screened.Besides, they can target mitochondria, cause oxidative stress, and disturbGSH metabolism. BothReNandReScan induce necroptosis andcaspase-dependent apoptosis simultaneously. We also demonstrate thatReNandReScan inhibit tumor growth in nude mice bearing carcinomaxenografts. Our study shows the potential of Re(I) complexes aschemotherapeutic agents to kill cancer cells via a mitochondria-to-cellularredox strategy.