Anticancer Applications and Recent Investigations of Metallodrugs Based on Gallium, Tin and Titanium

Abstract

Abstract:For more than 100 years metal complexes have been extensively used in therapy and since the discovery of cisplatin the research in this field has expanded exponentially. The scientific community is always in search of new alternatives to platinum compounds and a wide variety of metallodrugs based on other metals have been reported with excellent therapeutic results. This short review focuses on the work that our research group has carried out since 2007 in collaboration with others and centers on the preparation of organogallium(III) compounds, organotin(IV) derivatives, and titanocene(IV) complexes together with the study of their cytotoxic anticancer properties.

Anticancer redox activity of gallium nanoparticles accompanied with low dose of gamma radiation in female mice

“…When gallium reaches these sites, it will compete with ferric ion and will interfere with its absorption, metabolism, and activity. 56,57 The mechanisms of antineoplastic activity of gallium are complex and can be viewed as a two-step process in which the first step involves the targeting of gallium (as transferrin-gallium) to TFR-bearing tumor cells. In the second step, gallium perturbs cellular iron metabolism by interfering with TFR-mediated uptake of iron and with the endosomal release of iron from transferrin to the cytoplasm.…”

Multifunctional Silica-Based Nanoparticles with Controlled Release of Organotin Metallodrug for Targeted Theranosis of Breast Cancer

“…Although cisplatin derivatives have been extensively used as chemotherapeutics, the onset of tumor drug-resistance has been observed upon treatment with these compounds [20]. In addition, other reported side-effects as low bioavailability and poor solubility in physiological media are still hampering the definitive application of these chemotherapeutic drugs [21]. Therefore, the search for alternative metallodrugs bearing different elements such as gallium, titanium, palladium, gold, cobalt, ruthenium, or tin could represent an interesting strategy to overcome the cisplatin-related drawbacks previously detailed [22,23].…”

In Vivo Anticancer Activity of a Nontoxic Inert Phenolato Titanium Complex: High Efficacy on Solid Tumors Alone and Combined with Platinum Drugs

“…However, development of resistance to these drugs and the toxicity of the Pt ion led to a search for other metal‐based drugs. Among the transition metals tested, two titanium‐based complexes—budotitane and titanocene dichloride—reached clinical trials, but failed due to rapid hydrolysis and the formation of undefined aggregates . To overcome these obstacles, our laboratory developed a new family of titanium(IV) complexes based on phenolato ligands .…”

“…Amongt he transition metalstested, two titanium-based complexes-budotitane and titanocene dichloride-reached clinical trials, but failed due to rapid hydrolysis and the formation of undefineda ggregates. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] To overcome these obstacles, our laboratory developed an ew family of titanium(IV) complexes based on phenolato ligands. [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] In particular,d iaminobis(phenolato)-bis(alkoxo)Ti IV (phenolaTi,F igure 1) demonstrated remarkable stability in aqueous media and an extended shelf life, along with enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity toward various cancer cell types.…”