Tris-(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine significantly promotes the reaction of cisplatin with Sp1 zinc finger protein.

A widely used reducing agent tris-(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine significantly promotes the reaction of cisplatin with Sp1 zinc finger protein. This discovery clarifies the reactivity of cisplatin towards Sp1 zinc finger protein and implies that the reactions of platinum drugs could be largely influenced by small molecules with a strong trans effect.