Design and optimization of drugs used to treat copper deficiency

Copper is an essential element in the human organism. Furthermore, copper deficiency is rare; however, the hematologic manifestations associated with copper deficiency, such as anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, myeloneuropathy and osteoporosis, are well known.

The authors present an overview of the various commercially available drugs used in the treatment of copper deficiency. Furthermore, the authors offer a description of copper complexes, as potential pharmaceutically active compounds, that can be used in the design of new formulations with therapeutic potential.

Progress in the synthesis of new metallo-organic complexes (such as the copper-pullulan complex) and the chelated form of copper have provided new avenues for drug design that combat copper deficiency. The copper-pullulan complex, as an active compound, has been designed in its solid dosage form, and its optimization in the treatment of copper deficiency has been furthered through advancements in experimental design methodology. The authors believe that the numerous ongoing studies, evaluating the synthesis of these complexes, should produce new additions to the copper deficiency therapeutic armamentarium in the future.