Anticancer metallodrugs: where is the next cisplatin?

Abstract

Despite the severe side effects and the emergence of drug resistance, the use of DNA-targeting platinum drugs remains strong either alone or in a combination chemotherapy regimen. New strategies and formulations are being explored in the design of anticancer metal complexes that exhibit nonclassical modes of action, selectively hit precise biomolecular targets or are even able to induce immunogenic anticancer activity. These developments will ameliorate the systemic toxicity of metal-based drugs and widen the range of treatable cancers.

Keywords: anticancer agents; cisplatin; copper; drug delivery; gold; iron; osmium; platinum; prodrug; ruthenium.