A glimpse into the developments, potential leads and future perspectives of anticancer cobalt complexes

Area of Science:

• Inorganic medicinal chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Platinum-based anticancer drugs like cisplatin have limitations including side effects and drug resistance.
• Non-platinum anticancer complexes are being explored as alternatives.
• Cobalt complexes have emerged as promising candidates due to their interactions with cellular macromolecules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the design and development of anticancer cobalt complexes.
• To summarize in vitro and in vivo studies of cobalt complexes with various ligands.
• To discuss the role of nanotechnology and modes of action for these complexes.

Main Methods:

• Review of in vitro and in vivo investigations on cobalt complexes.
• Analysis of cobalt complexes with diverse ligands (Schiff bases, quinolines, polypyridyls, etc.).
• Discussion on nanotechnological interventions and mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• Cobalt complexes demonstrate significant anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines.
• Several cobalt complexes exhibit comparable or superior efficacy to existing anticancer agents.
• Nanotechnology enhances the therapeutic properties of cobalt complexes.

Conclusions:

• Anticancer cobalt complexes represent a promising area of research with potential for novel cancer therapies.
• Further research is needed to address challenges in their design, development, and clinical translation.
• Cobalt complexes offer a viable alternative to platinum-based chemotherapy.