Cyclometalated iridium(III) luminescent complexes in therapy and phototherapy

5 years ago

Cyclometalated iridium(III) luminescent complexes in therapy and phototherapy

Octahedral Ir(III) complexes bearing cyclometalated ligands exhibit a great stability in biological media and are excellent therapeutical and phototherapeutical candidates for some major human ailments. Interesting examples of the use of luminescent iridium compounds in the area of cancer diagnosis and treatment have been recently reported, including modulators in protein–protein interactions, membrane-disruptors or mitochondria-targeted agents. Likewise, the scope of their conjugation to targeting vehicles as well as to smart nanoplatforms has been studied as a mean for an adequate delivery to cancer cells. Furthermore, several Ir(III) compounds have recently been found to be promising photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents both for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, their use as photoactive species in photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) has also been explored in spite of their high photostability. Finally, new developments of Ir(III)-based drugs in infectious and inflammatory diseases, and neurological disorders, will be also discussed, including a direct inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus, containing one amino group in the N^N ligand, a TACE inhibitor (an enzyme involved in the formation of the biologically active form of TNF-α) and a photosensitizer inducing oxidation of amyloidogenic peptides and controlling their aggregation pathways under mild conditions. The mechanism of action of Ir(III) agents together with the relationship between their structures and biomedicinal activities will be discussed.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0010854517305386