Inorganic Coordination Chemistry: Where We Stand in Cancer Treatment?

Abstract

Metals have unique characteristics such as variable coordination modes, redox activity, and reactivity being indispensable for several biochemical processes in cells. Due to their reactivity, their concentration is tightly regulated inside the cells, and abnormal concentrations are associated with many disorders, such as cancer. As such metal complexes turned out to be very attractive as potential anticancer agents. The discovery of cisplatin was a crucial moment, which prompted the interest in Pt(II) and other metal complexes as potential anticancer agents. This chapter highlights the state of the art on metal complexes in cancer therapy, highlighting their uptake mechanisms, biological targets, toxicity, and drug resistance. Finally, based on the importance of selective target of cancer cells, drug delivery systems will also be discussed.

Selective Cytotoxicity of Complexes with N,N,N-Donor Dipodal Ligand in Tumor Cells

“…These complexes might be used for the synthesis of new generations of safe and effective anticancer agents [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In particular, several metallodrugs [ 1 ] and coordination compounds [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] have been launched and examined. The identification of structural properties of metal-based complexes that may augment their antitumour activities is the sole basis of designing novel potent complexes.…”

Fumarato and phthalato bridged dinuclear metal–organic Cu(ii) and Mn(ii) compounds involving infinite fumarate–water assemblies and unusual structure-guiding H-bonded synthons: antiproliferative evaluation and theoretical studies

“…83 Moreover, it has been well established that hydrophobic regions (an important pharmacophore feature; vide infra ) are efficient in inhibiting the polymerization and repair of DNA of cancerous cells. 84 The hydrophobicity of a molecule/drug is also believed to be involved in the disruption of the cell membrane of cancerous cells, thereby blocking the cancer cell proliferation and resulting in cell death. 85 The absence of hydrophobic regions in the structure of compound 2 may also be responsible for the compound's inefficacy to induce cytotoxicity in DL cells.…”

Cytotoxic effects of halogenated tin phosphinoyldithioformate complexes against several cancer cell lines

“…2–4 Organometallic compounds are potential candidates for cancer treatment due to the variable oxidation states, redox and chemical properties, and a wide range of geometries owing to their versatile coordination abilities. 5–19 Research on metal-complex-based anti-cancer agents was stimulated by the accidental discovery of the anti-cancer properties of cisplatin by Rosenberg and co-workers in the 1960s. 20 Cisplatin has been an important cancer drug for decades 16,20–23 but cancer cells develop resistance towards cisplatin through several mechanisms, affecting drug transport, DNA repair and cell signalling.…”