Cisplatin and its derivatives are used in more than 50% of the treatment regimes for patients suffering from cancer. Despite their high potency and tremendous success, however, these platinum compounds have three main disadvantages: they are inefficient against platinum-resistant tumors, they are non-specific and they often have severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. As such, alternative metallo-drugs are still desperately sought. Among the potential metal complex candidates, ruthenium complexes have emerged as one of the leading players in this field.In this study, four Ru(II) complexes were synthesized, characterized and their cytotoxicity investigated. One particular complex shows an antiproliferative activity in the same range to that of Cisplatin. Furthermore, studies on the mechanism of action of this compound revealed that the Ru complex exerts its cytotoxicity by triggering a mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.[1][1] V. Pierroz et al. 2012 , revisions required.

Towards the elucidation of the mechanism of action of an inert ruthenium anticancer drug candidate

245th National Meeting (2013)

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