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Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
Published on: November 10, 2013
Immunogenic cell death-inducing metal complexes: From the benchtop to the clinic
Sajal Sen1, Krystle Karoscik2, Esther Maier3
1Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Abstract:
The immune system presents a complex array of processes designed to maintain homeostasis in malignant cellular growth. Malignancy is the result of a breakdown in immune surveillance by cancer cells evading immune recognition. Significant efforts have been made in modulating immune checkpoint signaling cascades to bypass the resulting immune evasion and establish an anticancer effect. More recently, it was discovered that a form of regulated cell death can involve the stimulation of immune response as its downstream effect and subsequently re-establish immune surveillance. This mechanism, known as immunogenic cell death (ICD), is being exploited as a target to prevent tumor relapse and prevent cancer metastasis. It is now appreciated that metal-based compounds play a key role in ICD activation due to their unique biochemical properties and interactions within cancer cells. With fewer than 1% of known anticancer agents documented as ICD inducers, recent efforts have been made to identify novel entities capable of stimulating a more potent anticancer immune response. While the recent reviews by us or others focus primarily on either discussing the chemical library of ICD inducers or intricate detailing of biological pathways associated with ICD, this review aims to bridge these two topics as a concise summary. Furthermore, early clinical evidence and future directions of ICD are briefly summarized.
Insights
Cancer cells evade immune surveillance, but a process called immunogenic cell death (ICD) can re-establish it. Metal-based compounds are key to activating ICD, offering new anticancer strategies to prevent tumor relapse and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Malignancy arises from immune surveillance failure, allowing cancer cells to evade recognition.
- Immune checkpoint modulation has been a focus for anticancer effects.
- Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a regulated cell death form that stimulates immune responses, re-establishing surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge the understanding of chemical inducers of ICD and the biological pathways involved.
- To summarize recent efforts in identifying novel ICD inducers.
- To provide a concise overview of ICD, including clinical evidence and future directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on immunogenic cell death (ICD).
- Analysis of metal-based compounds as ICD activators.
- Synthesis of information on ICD inducers and biological pathways.
Main Results:
- Metal-based compounds are significant activators of ICD due to their biochemical properties.
- Fewer than 1% of anticancer agents are known ICD inducers, highlighting the need for novel agents.
- ICD is a promising target for preventing tumor relapse and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Immunogenic cell death (ICD) represents a critical mechanism for re-establishing immune surveillance against cancer.
- Metal-based compounds show potential as potent ICD inducers.
- Further research into ICD is crucial for developing novel anticancer therapies.
