Photoactive and Luminescent Transition Metal Complexes as Anticancer Agents: A Guiding Light in the Search for New and Improved Cancer Treatments

Cancer continues to be responsible for the deaths of more than 9 million people worldwide each year. Current treatment options are diverse, but low success rates, particularly for those with late-stage cancers, continue to be a problem for clinicians and their patients. The effort by researchers globally to find alternative treatment options is ongoing. In the present study, we focused on innovations in inorganic anticancer therapies, specifically those with photoactive and luminescent properties. Transition metals offer distinct advantages compared to wholly organic compounds in both chemotherapeutics and luminescence properties. Here we report on the characteristics that result from discrete structural changes that have been expertly used to fine-tune their properties, and how diverse inherent luminescent properties have been widely employed to monitor cellular localization to photodynamic therapy.

Automated summary

Cancer is responsible for over 9 million deaths worldwide each year. Current treatment options have low success rates, especially for late-stage cancers. Researchers globally are continuously searching for alternative treatment options. This study focuses on innovations in inorganic anticancer therapies with photoactive and luminescent properties. Transition metals offer advantages in both chemotherapeutics and luminescence. The study explores the effects of structural changes on the properties and the use of inherent luminescent properties for monitoring cellular localization in photodynamic therapy.