Lighting up cancer: latest discoveries in ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes for anticancer photodynamic therapy.
5 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur 56000 Malaysia [email protected].
- 2Centre of Postgraduate Studies by Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, IMU University Kuala Lumpur 57000 Malaysia.
- 3Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, IMU University Kuala Lumpur 57000 Malaysia [email protected].
- 4School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia Selangor 47500 Malaysia.
- 5Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, IMU University Kuala Lumpur 57000 Malaysia.
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which utilises light-sensitive compounds to specifically target cancer cells while preventing harm to neighbouring healthy tissues, presents a potentially viable alternative treatment option. Ruthenium (Ru) polypyridyl complexes have garnered considerable attention as prospective PDT agents owing to their capability to generate stable and selective molecules by structural modification through ligands replacement. Additionally, their intricate geometries and oxidation states contribute to their therapeutic potential. This review provides the evolution and application of Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes in PDT as a cancer treatment modality. It analyses the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and advancements of these complexes in comparison to conventional methods. We present the design and optimisation of these complexes, emphasising their critical importance in combination therapies to circumvent the shortcomings of existing PDT methods and achieve enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Our review subsequently examines the practical implications of the results, highlighting the need for further in vivo experiments to validate Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes as viable therapeutic agents for cancer. Future studies aiming to enhance the effectiveness of PDT could significantly benefit from the incorporation of nanotechnology and advanced delivery systems.
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BibTeX
@article{tan2026lighting,
title = {{Lighting up cancer: latest discoveries in ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes for anticancer photodynamic therapy.}},
author = {Pei Yi Tan and Ke Hui Lee and Kuan Teng Tan and Xing Qi Chia and Ethan Wei Jie Kong and Wei Meng Lim and Chun-Wai Mai and Lai Chun Wong and May Lee Low},
journal = {RSC advances},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1039/d6ra01698g},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42840481},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lighting up cancer: latest discoveries in ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes for anticancer photodynamic therapy.
AU - Pei Yi Tan
AU - Ke Hui Lee
AU - Kuan Teng Tan
AU - Xing Qi Chia
AU - Ethan Wei Jie Kong
AU - Wei Meng Lim
AU - Chun-Wai Mai
AU - Lai Chun Wong
AU - May Lee Low
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - RSC advances
DO - 10.1039/d6ra01698g
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42840481
AB - Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which utilises light-sensitive compounds to specifically target cancer cells while preventing harm to neighbouring healthy tissues, presents a potentially viable alternative treatment option. Ruthenium (Ru) polypyridyl complexes have garnered considerable attention as prospective PDT agents owing to their capability to generate stable and selective molecules by structural modification through ligands replacement. Additionally, their intricate geometries and oxidation states contribute to their therapeutic potential. This review provides the evolution and application of Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes in PDT as a cancer treatment modality. It analyses the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and advancements of these complexes in comparison to conventional methods. We present the design and optimisation of these complexes, emphasising their critical importance in combination therapies to circumvent the shortcomings of existing PDT methods and achieve enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Our review subsequently examines the practical implications of the results, highlighting the need for further in vivo experiments to validate Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes as viable therapeutic agents for cancer. Future studies aiming to enhance the effectiveness of PDT could significantly benefit from the incorporation of nanotechnology and advanced delivery systems.
SN - 2046-2069
ER -