DNA Binding Mode of Transition Metal Complexes, A Relationship to Tumor Cell Toxicity

Abstract

Transition metal-based compounds constitute a distinct class of chemotherapeutics extensively used in the clinic as antitumor and antiviral agents. However, drug resistance and side effects of established antitumor metallodrugs such as cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)] and its analogues, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, have limited their clinical utility. These limitations have prompted a search for more effective and less toxic metal-based antitumor agents. The unique properties of metal ions, such as redox transfer/electron shuttling, and versatile coordination geometries arising from various oxidation states, result in metal ions and complexes that have potential medicinal applications that could be complementary to organic compounds and which are widely sought in drug discovery efforts. This review summarizes the results that show that transition metal complexes exhibit antitumor effects that differ from cisplatin or its analogues.

Research Progress in the Modification of Quercetin Leading to Anticancer Agents

“…So, intensive studies have been made to obtain new platinum-based alternatives as well as organometallic complexes containing a metal ion other than platinum [ 74 ], showing that the pharmacological effects depend on the metal ion, the organic scaffold, and DNA binding site [ 75 ]. In particular, the binding of transition metal complexes with DNA has drawn particular consideration [ 76 ], as they could find possible use in cancer therapy [ 77 ].…”

Synthesis, Characterization, and DNA-Binding Kinetics of New Pd(II) and Pt(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complexes: Spectral, Structural, and Anticancer Evaluation

“…On the contrary, a hyperchromic shift suggests electrostatic mode of binding. e spectral shift in the metal complex absorption is correlated to the binding strength from which the kinetics can then be determined [21].…”

Metal Ions Introduced to Proteins by Supramolecular Ligands

“…They form a variety of compounds with interesting spectroscopic and magnetic properties whose practical applications are the subject of ongoing research [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. In the cell, metals are usually found in their complexed form, either as standalone ions or inside specific planar carrier compounds encapsulated by proteins -e.g.…”