Noble Metal Complexes in Cancer Therapy: Unlocking Redox Potential for Next-Gen Treatments

• Published in: Inorganics Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 64
• Main Authors: Stefanache, Alina, Miftode, Alina Monica, Constantin, Marcu, Bogdan Goroftei, Roxana Elena, Olaru, Iulia, Gutu, Cristian, Vornicu, Alexandra, Lungu, Ionut Iulian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2025
• Subjects: Anticancer properties; Apoptosis; Auranofin; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cell death; Chemotherapy; Cisplatin; Coordination compounds; Cytotoxicity; Damage; DNA damage; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drug development; Drug dosages; Drugs; Enzymes; Gold; Health aspects; Ligands; Medical research; Mitochondrial DNA; Nanoparticles; Noble metals; Oxidation; Oxidative stress; Palladium; Platinum; Proteins; Radiotherapy; Reactive oxygen species; redox; Redox potential; Reductases; Side effects; Silver; theranostics; Thioredoxin; Toxicity; Vehicles
• ISSN: 2304-6740; 2304-6740
• DOI: 10.3390/inorganics13020064

(1) Context: Cancer is still a major problem worldwide, and traditional therapies like radiation and chemotherapy often fail to alleviate symptoms because of side effects, systemic toxicity, and mechanisms of resistance. Beneficial anticancer effects that spare healthy tissues are made possible by the distinctive redox characteristics of noble metal complexes, especially those containing palladium, gold, silver, and platinum. (2) Methods: The redox processes, molecular targets, and therapeutic uses of noble metal complexes in cancer have been the subject of much study over the last 20 years; novel approaches to ligand design, functionalization of nanoparticles, and tumor-specific drug delivery systems are highlighted. (3) Results: Recent developments include Pt(IV) prodrugs and terpyridine-modified Pt complexes for enhanced selectivity and decreased toxicity; platinum complexes, like cisplatin, trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA damage. Functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) improve targeted delivery and theranostic capabilities, while gold complexes, particularly Au(I) and Au(III), inhibit redox-sensitive processes such as thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). (4) Conclusions: Ag(I)-based compounds and nanoparticles (AgNPs) induce DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction by taking advantage of oxidative stress. As redox-based anticancer medicines, noble metal complexes have the ability to transform by taking advantage of certain biochemical features to treat cancer more effectively and selectively.