Transition Metal Complexes for Anticancer Therapy and Cisplatin Resistance
This research community develops synthetic metal complexes—primarily of platinum, ruthenium, copper, and iridium—to treat cancer and overcome resistance to standard chemotherapy. The work focuses on designing molecules that bind to DNA and kill cancer cells, with a specific emphasis on addressing the side effects and resistance mechanisms associated with cisplatin.
The recurring literature centers on the synthesis and structural characterization of Schiff base ligands and their coordination with transition metals. Researchers evaluate the anticancer activity of these compounds against breast, lung, and ovarian cancer cell lines, often using molecular docking to predict binding interactions. A significant portion of the work addresses cisplatin-induced kidney injury and resistance, seeking alternatives or adjuvants that maintain efficacy while reducing nephrotoxicity. The methodological core involves biological evaluation in vitro, crystal structure determination, and computational analysis of DNA binding affinity.
The largest share of the community's output is found in platinum research, accounting for 15.7% of all platinum research, with 20,922 papers in this group. Ruthenium follows with a 7.8% share of its element research, and copper with a 1.7% share.
The community comprises 57,526 papers, publishing most frequently in Inorganica Chimica Acta, the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.
Recent work continues to focus on the design of new Schiff base metal complexes and iridium(III) derivatives for photodynamic therapy, alongside studies on the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin resistance and kidney injury.