Gold(III) complexes in medicinal chemistry

• Published in: Future medicinal chemistry Vol. 6; no. 13; p. 1515
• Main Authors: Maia, Pedro Ivo da Silva, Deflon, Victor M, Abram, Ulrich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-09-2014
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antiparasitic Agents - chemistry; Antiparasitic Agents - pharmacology; Antiparasitic Agents - therapeutic use; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Discovery; Gold Compounds - chemistry; Gold Compounds - pharmacology; Gold Compounds - therapeutic use; Humans; Models, Molecular; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Organogold Compounds - chemistry; Organogold Compounds - pharmacology; Organogold Compounds - therapeutic use; Radiopharmaceuticals - chemistry; Radiopharmaceuticals - pharmacology; Radiopharmaceuticals - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1756-8927
• DOI: 10.4155/fmc.14.87

A number of gold(III) compounds has been designed with the objective of overcoming the disadvantages associated with the platinum-based drugs for cancer treatment. Compounds of a remarkable structural manifold show significant antiproliferative effects in vitro against a number of cancer cells, including cisplatin resistant ones. The target of most of them is, unlike that of cisplatin, not the DNA. Although the mechanisms of action displayed by the gold compounds in biological media are still under investigation, many studies show evidence that the cellular targets are mitochondria-based. Recent advances in gold(III) medicinal chemistry also recommend such compounds for other pharmacological applications such as the treatment of viral or parasitic diseases. The radioactive isotopes (198)Au and (199)Au present potential in radiotherapy.