Advancements in the Use of Platinum Complexes as Anticancer Agents

Background: The platinum (II) complexes as anticancer agents have been well explored for the development of novel analogs. Yet, none of them achieved clinical importance in oncology. At present, anticancer compounds containing platinum (II) complexes have been employed in the treatment of colorectal, lung, and genitourinary tumors. Among the platinum-based anticancer drugs, Cisplatin (cis-diamine dichloroplatinum (II), cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]) is one of the most potent components of cancer chemotherapy. The nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and ototoxicity, and platinum compounds associated resistant cancer are some major disadvantages. Objective: With the rapidly growing interest in platinum (II) complexes in tumor chemotherapy, researchers have synthesized many new platinum analogs as anticancer agents that show better cytotoxicity, and less off-target effects with less cellular resistance. This follows the introduction of oxaliplatin, water-soluble carboplatin, multinuclear platinum and newly synthesized complexes, etc. Methods: This review emphasizes recent advancements in drug design and development, the mechanism of platinum (II) complexes, their stereochemistry, current updates, and biomedical applications of platinum-based anticancer agents. Conclusion: In the last few decades, the popularity of platinum complexes as potent anti-cancer agents has risen as scientists have synthesized many new platinum complexes that exhibit better cytotoxicity coupled with less off-target effects.