Synthesis and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of RuCp(II) Complexes Bearing (Iso)nicotinic Acid Based Ligands.

Background/objectives: Cancer remains one of the major challenges of our century. Organometallic ruthenium complexes are gaining recognition as a highly promising group of compounds in the development of cancer treatments.

Methods: Building on the auspicious results obtained for [Ru(η-CH)(PPh)(bipy)][CFSO] (TM34), our focus has shifted to examining the effects of incorporating bioactive ligands into the TM34 framework, particularly within the cyclopentadienyl ring.

Cancer 3D Models for Metallodrug Preclinical Testing.

Despite being standard tools in research, the application of cellular and animal models in drug development is hindered by several limitations, such as limited translational significance, animal ethics, and inter-species physiological differences. In this regard, 3D cellular models can be presented as a step forward in biomedical research, allowing for mimicking tissue complexity more accurately than traditional 2D models, while also contributing to reducing the use of animal models. In cancer research, 3D models have the potential to replicate the tumor microenvironment, which is a key modulator of cancer cell behavior and drug response.