Heterodinuclear Pt(<scp>iv</scp>)–Ru(<scp>ii</scp>) anticancer prodrugs to combat both drug resistance and tumor metastasis

Abstract

A novel approach to design bimetallic anticancer drug candidates with the capability to combat both drug resistance and tumor metastasis is reported. These water-soluble bifunctional Pt(iv)-Ru(ii) heterodinuclear complexes with a unique mode of action display up to 2-orders of magnitude enhanced cytotoxicity in cisplatin-resistant cells and significantly impede cancer cell migration.