Phosphine copper(I) complexes as anticancer agents: biological characterization. Part II

The huge amount of research into copper(I, II) coordination compounds as anticancer agents has led to the recognition of phosphine copper(I) complexes as a class of very promising anticancer agents. There is growing interest in developing antitumor copper(I) complexes according to the observation that hCTR1, a specific monovalent metal transporter, has been found overexpressed in several cancer cells. The coordination of copper ion with P-donor ligands has allowed copper(I) complexes showing unique stability toward redox disproportionation in aqueous media to be obtained and, by a suitable tailoring of water-soluble phosphines, proper solubility in physiological conditions.