Photochemotherapy: Targeted activation of metal anticancer complexes

The present article highlights recent findings in the field of photoactivation of anticancer metal complexes. Developments of some photoactivatable Rh-, Pt-, and Fe- based complexes are discussed and their mechanisms of anticancer action are outlined. Features required for the successful design of photoactive drugs are considered, in particular methods for improving the targeting and selectivity of such complexes through techniques such as conjugate delivery and multiphoton absorption.