Application of Heterometallic Supramolecular Cages in Treating Cancer

Abstract

Supramolecular complexes rely on non-covalent interactions, enabling a host-guest structure. When metal ions are introduced into the skeleton of ‘host’, the valance electron configuration of heteroatoms result in versatile stable structures of complexes. Heterometallic supramolecular cage is a kind of stable form which is able to act as a carrier. Instead of diffusing into circulatory system directly, carriers are used to hold the drug molecule and release it at an aim position. In this case, targeted therapy, which significantly reduce the side effect of drugs, can be achieved. There have been discussions on the potential of supramolecular structures as cytotoxic agents and drug delivery systems for anticancer drugs. Several anticancer, antibacterial, and other pharmacological analogue compounds were used to investigate the guest binding capabilities of the successfully synthesized heterometallic complexes. The stability of these cages in water and when coupled with specific guest molecules was examined. These cages' capacity for cytotoxicity as well as diverse host-guest combinations were investigated.