Diazido platinum(iv) complexes for photoactivated anticancer chemotherapy

Diazido Pt(iv) complexes with a general formula [Pt(N-3)(2)(L)(L ')(OR)(OR ')] are a new generation of anticancer prodrugs designed for use in photoactivated chemotherapy. The potencies of these complexes are affected by the cis/trans geometry configuration, the non-leaving ligand L/L ' and derivatisation of the axial ligand OR/OR '. Diazido Pt(iv) complexes exhibit high dark stability and promising photocytotoxicity circumventing cisplatin resistance. Upon irradiation, diazido Pt(iv) complexes release anticancer active Pt(ii) species, azidyl radicals and ROS, which interact with biomolecules and therefore affect the cellular components and pathways. The conjugation of diazido Pt(iv) complexes with anticancer drugs or cancer-targeting vectors is an effective strategy to optimise the design of these photoactive prodrugs. Diazido Pt(iv) complexes represent a series of promising anticancer prodrugs owing to their novel mechanism of action which differs from that of classical cisplatin and its analogues.