Effects of light-activated diazido-PtIV complexes on cancer cells in vitro.

Various Pt(IV) diazides have been investigated over the years as light-activatable prodrugs that interfere with cell proliferation, accumulate in cancer cells and cause cell death. The potencies of the complexes vary depending on the substituted amines (pyridine=piperidine>ammine) as well as the coordination geometry (trans diazide>cis). Light-activated Pt(IV) diazides tend to be less specific than cisplatin at inhibiting cancer cell growth, but cells resistant to cisplatin show little cross-resistance to Pt(IV) diazides.