The gold complex auranofin sensitizes platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin

Although there are numerous studies on drug development for ovarian cancer (OC), survival rates for this disease remain low due to platinum (Pt) resistance. Following several rounds of Pt- based chemotherapy, OC cells develop resistance by increasing DNA repair and antioxidant systems. This study aimed to design a treatment approach to combat recurrent stages of OC by repurposing the anti-rheumatic gold complex auranofin (AF). Here we demonstrate that AF enhances the efficacy of cisplatin (CDDP) in Pt-resistant epithelial OC (EOC) cells. The drug combination induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, PARP cleavage, DNA damage, and ROS overproduction. These results suggest the high potential for combining AF with CDDP as a second-line therapy for recurrent EOCs.