Metal complexes against breast cancer stem cells.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with metastasis driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs).
• CSCs possess self-renewal and tumorigenic potential, contributing to tumor initiation, relapse, and treatment resistance.
• Effective therapies must target both differentiated tumor cells and CSCs to prevent disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in metal complexes for targeting breast cancer stem cells (CSCs).
• To explore the potential of novel metal-based compounds in overcoming chemotherapy resistance and preventing tumor relapse.
• To summarize the therapeutic applications of various metal complexes against breast CSCs over the past decade.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published until 2021.
• Focus on metal complexes including platinum, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, and tin.
• Analysis of anti-CSC properties and therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer models.

Main Results:

• Metal complexes demonstrate diverse capabilities in targeting CSCs.
• Platinum complexes provide a foundation for metal-based cancer therapeutics, especially for triple-negative breast cancer.
• Emerging metal compounds show significant anti-CSC activity, offering new avenues for treatment.

Conclusions:

• Metal complexes represent a promising strategy for developing novel breast cancer therapies.
• Targeting CSCs with metal-based agents can potentially overcome chemotherapy resistance and prevent metastasis.
• Further research into metal complexes is crucial for advancing breast cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.