A Single Slow Electron Triggers the Loss of Both Chlorine Atoms from the Anticancer Drug Cisplatin: Implications for Chemoradiation Therapy

Leaner, meaner cisplatin: Dissociative electron attachment to the anticancer drug cisplatin (1) shows intense resonances at very low energies, which result in PtCl bond cleavage. A single low-energy electron can trigger the loss of both chlorine atoms from cisplatin (see scheme), thereby forming [Pt(NH3)2]−. This complex is the reactive intermediate to form cisplatin–DNA adducts, which consequently inhibit DNA replication.