Arene Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Phosphorous Ligands as Possible Anticancer Agents

Abstract

Ruthenium(II) complexes of formula [Ru(η6-arene)Cl2 (PTA)] (RAPTA) are potential anticancer drugs with notable antimetastatic and antiangiogenic activity, which are now pointing to clinical trials. Following the great interest aroused by these compounds, a variety of RAPTA derivatives, obtained by chloride substitution and/or containing functionalized arene ligands, and complexes resembling the RAPTA structure but bearing different phosphorous ligands have been synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. An overview of all of these biologically relevant complexes will be given, with particular reference to the anticancer behaviour exhibited by the compounds and the possible relationship with structural aspects.

New Findings in Metal Complexes with Antiproliferative Activity Containing 1,3,5‐Triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane (PTA) and Derivative Ligands

“…[4] These complexes, generically named RAPTA (Figure 2), have been exstensively studied, inducing the broad use of the ligand PTA and its derivatives as constituent of antiproliferative and antimicrobial active metal com- plexes. [4,[21][22][23][24][25] There are valuable and very interesting examples of very active antiproliferative transition metal complexes containing ligands of the PTA family, being platinum and ruthenium among the most represented metals. [4,[21][22][23][24][25] There are valuable and very interesting examples of very active antiproliferative transition metal complexes containing ligands of the PTA family, being platinum and ruthenium among the most represented metals.…”

“…These complexes, generically named RAPTA (Figure ), have been exstensively studied, inducing the broad use of the ligand PTA and its derivatives as constituent of antiproliferative and antimicrobial active metal complexes. Nice and recent reviews have been targeted to describe the antiproliferative properties of the complexes containing PTA and its derivatives, some of them being mainly focused on RAPTA complexes , …”

Ruthenium(II) Complexes as Potential Apoptosis Inducers in Cancer Therapy

“…In the research for effective complexes that can be targeted against tumor cells, many groups of researchers synthesized various ruthenium(II) complexes with different ligands (51)(52)(53). The first ruthenium(II) arene complexes reported is [Ru( 6-C 6 H 6 )(DMSO)C l2 ].…”

Recent progress in the development of organometallics for the treatment of cancer

“…From a survey of recent literature, research encompassing the anticancer activity of organometallic compounds is flourishing and making significant progress [42][43][44][45]. Creative and novel strategies to enhance the efficacy and selectivity of small molecule organometallics show promise in animal models, with examples being well tolerated and doses well below maximum tolerated doses resulting in good antitumor activity.…”