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Review
. 2009 Dec;14(23-24):1089-97.
doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2009.09.003. Epub 2009 Sep 24.

Current applications and future potential for bioinorganic chemistry in the development of anticancer drugs

Sabine H van Rijt  1 , Peter J Sadler
Affiliations
Review

Current applications and future potential for bioinorganic chemistry in the development of anticancer drugs

Sabine H van Rijt et al. Drug Discov Today. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

This review illustrates notable recent progress in the field of medicinal bioinorganic chemistry as many new approaches to the design of innovative metal-based anticancer drugs are emerging. Current research addressing the problems associated with platinum drugs has focused on other metal-based therapeutics that have different modes of action and on prodrug and targeting strategies in an effort to diminish the side-effects of cisplatin chemotherapy.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Periodic table with color coding for the metals discussed in this review
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Examples of metal-based compounds that target DNA. (a) X-ray structure showing the kinking of DNA by cisplatin (pdb1aio) (b) NAMI-A. (c) KP1019. (d) General structure of organometallic ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) arene complexes. (e, f) Examples of cytotoxic RuII arene complexes. (g) model showing intercalation of a RuII arene complex into DNA. (h) [γ-Ru(azpy)2Cl2]. (i, j) Examples of cytotoxic OsII arene complexes.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Examples of metal-based anticancer drugs that target proteins and enzymes. (a) Gold(I) phosphole complex. (b) Gold(III) meso-tetraarylporphyrins complexes. (c) KP46. (d) Gallium tris-maltolate. (e) DW1. (f) RuII arene complex containing a monodentate phosphaadamantane (pta) ligand. (g) Cobalt-alkyne analogue of the anti-inflammatory drug aspirin. (h) Hexacarbonyl dicobalt complex containing a nucleoside ligand.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Prodrug strategies. (a) Example of a photoactivatable octahedral RhIII complex with an extended diimine ligand. (b) Satraplatin. (c) Example of a photoactivatable trans-azido platinum(IV) prodrug. (d) Ferrocifen. (e) Cobalt-marimastat bioconjugate. (f) RuII arene complexes containing iodo and phenylplazopyridine ligand. (g) RuII arene complexes containing a thiolate ligand. (h) Pt(IV)-estradiol bioconjugate. (i) Ethacraplatin.
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References

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