Citation:

Half-sandwich Ru(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in anticancer drug design, {Lenis Rojas}, {Oscar A. }, Cordeiro Sandra, Baptista {Pedro V. }, and Fernandes {Alexandra R. } , Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, aug, Volume 245, (2023)

Abstract:

The ruthenium arene fragment is a rich source for the design of anticancer drugs; in this design, the co-ligand is a critical factor for obtaining effective anticancer complexes. In comparison with other types of ligands, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been less explored, despite the versatility in structural modifications and the marked stabilization of metal ions, being these characteristics important for the design of metal drugs. However, notable advances have been made in the development of NHC Ruthenium arene as anticancer agents. These advances include high antitumor activities, proven both in in vitro and in in vivo models and, in some cases, with marked selectivity against tumorigenic cells. The versatility of the structure has played a fundamental role, since they have allowed a selective interaction with their molecular targets through, for example, bio-conjugation with known anticancer molecules. For this reason, the structure-activity relationship of the imidazole, benzimidazole, and abnormal NHC ruthenium (II) η6-arene complexes have been studied. Taking into account this study, several synthetic aspects are provided to contribute to the next generations of this kind of complexes. Moreover, in recent years nanotechnology has provided innovative nanomedicines, where half-sandwich Ruthenium(II) complexes are paving their way. In this review, the recent developments in nanomaterials functionalized with Ruthenium complexes for targeted drug delivery to tumors will also be highlighted.

Notes:

info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/2022.04315.PTDC/PT info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/PTDC%2FQUI-QIN%2F0146%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDP%2F04378%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F04378%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F04612%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDP%2F04612%2F2020/PT# Funding Information: This work is financed by national funds from FCT – Funda{\c c}ão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. in the scope of the project PTDC/QUI/CCL/032351/2017 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences – UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy – i4HB. Oscar A. Lenis-Rojas acknowledge national funds through FCT, POPH-Programa Operacional Potencial Humano, FSE (European Social Fund) for the CEEC 2017 Initiative, and LS4FUTURE Associated Laboratory (LA/P/0087/2020). S. Cordeiro acknowledges FCT-MCTES 2021.08629.BD. Publisher Copyright: © 2023