New applications of old metal-binding drugs in the treatment of human cancer.

ABSTRACT: Significant advances in the use of metal complexes, precipitated by platinum, have fostered a renewed interest in harnessing their rich potential in the treatment of cancer. In addition to platinum-based complexes, the anticancer properties of other metals such as ruthenium have been realized, and ruthenium-based compounds are currently being investigated in clinical trials. Since the process of drug development can be expensive and cumbersome, finding new applications of existing drugs may provide effective means to expedite the regulatory process in bringing new drugs to the clinical setting. Encouraging findings from laboratory studies reveal significant anticancer activity from different classes of metal-chelating compounds, such as disulfiram, clioquinol, and dithiocarbamate derivativ

SUBMITTER: Schmitt SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3646510 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature