Non-Platinum Antitumor Compounds

Abstract

Non-platinum antitumor compounds have gained increasing interest during the last decade. A variety of antitumor active agents, from early transition to main -group metal or metalloid compounds, has been found and evaluated. Due to their different chemical characteristics, the mode of action and spectrum of activity of these compounds differ from each other. Antitumor activity in vitro is known for many compounds. Some compounds, like the ruthenium complexes, also exhibit promising in vivo activity. Two early transition metal complexes show interesting activity especially in experimental colon tumor models and are under evaluation in clinical trials: titanocene dichloride and budotitane. The two germanium complexes spirogermanium and germanium-132 have been evaluated but, despite their moderate toxicity, no encouraging results have been obtained. Gallium nitrate and gallium chloride are active against lymphomas and bladder cancer, and show a positive effeet on hypocalcaemias caused by tumors. They have undergone a number of clinical trials and are being investigated in promising combination regimens. Arsenic trioxide was found to be active against a rare blood cancer in clinical studies in China.

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry of ruthenium and palladium complexes with oligonucleotides

“…These include dinuclear and trinuclear platinum complexes, 11 platinum complexes with trans orientated leaving groups, 12 ruthenium sulfoxide complexes 13 and various classes of organometallic compounds. 14 In some cases these complexes display activity against cisplatin-resistant tumours, or specifically target metastatic tumour cells.…”

22 Ti Anti‐Tumor Titanium Drugs

“…However, subsequent clinical evaluations of budotitane have been stopped because its galenic formulation did not meet modern standards, although new formulations are being developed. 41 The use of isomerically pure crystals of budotitane in the galenic formulation of the drug could eventually help to overcome these difficulties and may also increase the activity and/or bioavailability of budotitane.…”

New applications of old metal-binding drugs in the treatment of human cancer

“…Currently, two ruthenium-containing complexes are undergoing clinical trials, NAMI-A and KP1019 ( Figure 1) (13)(14). Despite their structural similarities, these ruthenium (III) complexes differ drastically in their antitumor activities.…”

“…This is believed to be due to inhibition of tumor cell detachment, invasion and migration, and re-adhesion to new growth substrate (12). In light of these properties, ruthenium is predicted to show distinct patterns of anti-tumor activity that diverge from those demonstrated with platinum.Currently, two ruthenium-containing complexes are undergoing clinical trials, NAMI-A and KP1019 ( Figure 1) (13)(14). Despite their structural similarities, these ruthenium (III) complexes differ drastically in their antitumor activities.…”