Anti-Cancer Properties of a New Series of Acetyl-Ethyl-Pyrazine Thiosemicarbazones and their Copper (II) Complexes

This investigation presents four new compounds that show anti-proliferative ability against bacteria. It is believed that the mechanism for their anti-bacterial activity is the inhibition of two enzymes that are important in cell replication. One of these enzymes, Topoisomerase IIa, is currently being targeted for anti-cancer work. If successful, the new compounds could be used in chemotherapy, which would present an alternative treatment for breast cancer that would not involve surgery, yet targets the key enzyme that makes the cancer cells so malignant.