The Antiproliferative Activity of Ferrocene Derivatives against Drug-Resistant Cancer Cell Lines: A Mini Review

Abstract

Cancer, a highly heterogeneous disease at intra/inter patient levels, remains a serious health problem contributing to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite great progress in clinical treatment, the concern impeding the success of conventional cancer chemotherapy is descending efficacy of anticancer agents due to the development of drug resistance especially multiple drug resistance (MDR). Ferrocene derivatives have a different mode of action to the platinum anticancer drugs, and the ferrocene-phenol hybridferrocifen exhibits potentialactivity againstdrug-resistant cancers. Currently, ferrocifen is in preclinical trial, demonstrating that ferrocene derivatives are useful scaffolds for the development of novel anticancer candidates which are active against drug-resistant cancers. In the present review, the current scenario of ferrocene derivatives including ferrocenemetal complexes, hybrids and other derivatives with antiproliferative potential against drug-resistant cancer cell lines is summarized for further rational design.