Exposure to Metals Can Be Therapeutic

• Published in: Chimia Vol. 69; no. 3; p. 125
• Main Author: Davey, Curt A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - history; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - history; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - instrumentation; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - methods; Chromatin - drug effects; Chromatin - ultrastructure; Cisplatin - chemistry; Cisplatin - pharmacology; Coordination Complexes - chemistry; Coordination Complexes - history; Coordination Complexes - pharmacology; Crystallography, X-Ray; DNA Adducts - chemistry; DNA Adducts - ultrastructure; History, 21st Century; Humans; International Cooperation; Metals - chemistry; Neoplasms - chemistry; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Oxidation-Reduction; Singapore; Switzerland; Switzerland; Singapore
• ISSN: 0009-4293
• DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2015.125

Because of the widespread epigenetic changes ensuing from carcinogenesis, structural and chemical features of chromatin provide unique targets for developing safer and more effective anticancer drugs. Metal-based agents have a potential advantage over other small molecular species in that characteristics of coordination geometry, redox state and ligand exchange allow one to fine-tune reactivity and affinity properties in a distinct fashion. This intersection of chromatin biology and bioinorganic medicinal chemistry is the subject of multiple collaborations in and between Switzerland and Singapore.