Synthesis of a glycopolymeric PtII carrier and its induction of apoptosis in resistant cancer cells

Post-polymerization modification of a poly(pentafluorostyryl) backbone with β-d-galactose and a terpyridine platinum complex yields a well-defined material that represents the first example of a metal-conjugated glycopolymer. It reveals anti-proliferative activity, no detectable necrotic cytotoxicity, and efficiently induces apoptosis in both wild-type as well as resistant Nalm-6 leukemia cell lines.