Recent development of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes as therapeutic agents for cancer diseases

Area of Science:

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Platinum complexes are mainstays in cancer chemotherapy but face challenges like severe side effects and drug resistance.
• Novel metal-based anticancer agents are needed to overcome limitations of current platinum-based therapies.
• Gold complexes are emerging as promising non-platinum anticancer drugs with significant antiproliferative effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review recent advancements in gold(I) and gold(III) complexes for cancer treatment.
• To document the activities and mechanisms of action of these gold-based anticancer agents.
• To explore the potential of gold complexes in overcoming platinum resistance and reducing side effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on gold(I) and gold(III) complexes.
• Analysis of reported anticancer activities and mechanisms of action.
• Investigation into the targeting of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and other thiol-rich proteins by gold complexes.

Main Results:

• Gold complexes exhibit significant antiproliferative potency and efficacy against various cancer types.
• These complexes primarily target thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and other thiol-containing enzymes.
• Gold complexes induce cancer cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elicit hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (ICD).

Conclusions:

• Gold complexes represent a promising alternative to platinum-based chemotherapy due to their distinct mechanisms of action and efficacy.
• Targeting TrxR and inducing ROS-mediated cell death are key anticancer strategies for gold complexes.
• The potential of gold complexes as inducers of immunogenic cell death warrants further investigation for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.