Ruthenium dimeric complexes suitable as antimetastatic and antineoplastic agents

Abstract

This patent describes a number of novel ruthenium(III), Ru(III), dimeric complexes that are either anionic or neutral, and symmetrical or asymmetrical, as promising antitumour drugs. The two Ru atoms are bound by means of a nitrogen heterocyclic ligand containing at least two nitrogen heteroatoms. The described complexes show remarkable chemical stability and high antimetastatic activity. It is proposed that these novel Ru(III) complexes can be used in the treatment of solid tumours, especially those with an elevated degree of metastatic diffusion such as the digestive tract carcinomas, mammary carcinoma and lung carcinomas. Notably these Ru(III) compounds exhibit high antimetastatic activity but low cytotoxicity; on this ground, innovative mechanisms of action may be anticipated. The importance of these results is reinforced by the fact that a mononuclear Ru(III) complex, NAMI A, developed by the same investigators, is presently undergoing Phase I clinical trials. Thus, the present patent contributes to enlarge the repertoire of Ru complexes of potential application in antitumour therapy.

• antimetastatic
• cancer
• dimeric complexes
• ruthenium (Ru)