Therapeutic Applications of Heavy Metals: Anticancer Insight Into Ruthenium

Abstract

Heavy metals have revolutionized the field of oncology, with platinum-based drugs such as cisplatin serving as a foundational treatment. However, their severe side effects and resistance issues have necessitated the exploration of alternative metal-based therapies. Ruthenium has emerged as a promising candidate, offering distinct advantages over platinum due to its unique chemical properties, improved efficacy, and lower toxicity profile. this paper provides a comprehensive review of ruthenium base anticancer therapies, addressing key aspects that contribute to its potential as a therapeutic agent. The chemical characters of ruthenium, including its versatile oxidation states, coordination chemistry, and ligand exchange dynamics are explored to understand its stability and selectivity. The mechanism of action, such as DNA interaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis induction and tumor microenvironment modulation, are critically analyzed. The efficacy of ruthenium complexes in preclinical and clinical studies is discussed, highlighting their ability to overcome multidrug resistance and reduce off-target effects. Recent advancements in clinical trials of ruthenium complexes are also reviewed and offering insight into their transitional potential. This review emphasizes the growing importance of ruthenium on anticancer drug development, showcasing its role as a next generation therapeutic agents capable of addressing the limitation of existing treatments. By providing in depth understanding of its therapeutic potential, this paper aims to contribute to advancement of metallopharmateucals in cancer therapy.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788198471956.2025.96-114