Metal-based Complexes as Potential Anti-cancer Agents.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Oncology

Background:

• Metal-based therapy has a long history in biomedical research, with early limitations in balancing therapeutic and toxicological dosages.
• The discovery of cisplatin by Barnett Rosenberg marked a significant advancement in cancer treatment using metal complexes.
• Current platinum complexes like oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and carboplatin are foundational in challenging malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of metal-based therapeutic agents, with a focus on platinum, ruthenium, and gold complexes.
• To highlight advancements in non-classical platinum-based complexes with novel mechanistic approaches.
• To discuss stability, synergism, mechanistic studies, and structure-activity relationships of heterometallic multinuclear components.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of metal-based therapeutic agents.
• Analysis of chemical modifications to existing metal complex structures.
• Examination of novel metal complex synthesis and their properties.

Main Results:

• Numerous metal-based complexes have been synthesized by modifying existing structures or creating novel components.
• Non-classical platinum-based complexes are emerging with distinct biomolecular target interactions.
• Several metal-based agents are in clinical trials or awaiting regulatory approval due to their therapeutic importance.

Conclusions:

• Metal-based compounds, particularly platinum, ruthenium, and gold complexes, show significant therapeutic potential in oncology.
• Ongoing research focuses on improving cytotoxic and safety profiles through chemical overhauling and novel designs.
• The development of heterometallic multinuclear components warrants further investigation into their stability, synergism, and structure-activity relationships.