Kinetically-inert polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes as therapeutic agents

Due to the clinical success and limitations of platinum-based anticancer drugs, there has been considerable interest in the development of new therapeutic agents based upon other transition metals, in particular ruthenium. There have now been many studies demonstrating the anticancer and antimicrobial properties of kinetically-inert polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes. This review showcases the diverse range of polypyridylruthenium complexes that exhibit significant biological activity, and discusses the relationship between their chemical structure and biological processing (cellular uptake and localisation) in eukaryotic cells. Perhaps more importantly, this review also highlights several recent studies that have shown kinetically-inert polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes can exhibit anticancer activity in in vivo trials - studies that provide the proof of concept that this class of metal-based agent has real clinical potential. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.