MINIREVIEW N-heterocyclic carbene platinum complexes: a big step forward for effective anti-tumor compounds

International audienceThe discovery of cisplatin is an important milestone in the history of successful anti-cancer drugs. This is also a notable example of the translational scientific achievement that remains a driving force in multidisciplinary research. The clinical success of cisplatin has led chemists to vary the ligands around the platinum metal to improve cisplatin's effectiveness while reducing its side effects. While there have been more failures than successes, key developments in the elucidation of mechanisms of the tumor-resistance properties have been accomplished. N-Heterocyclic carbene as ligand for organometallic chemistry is a relatively young area that offers new opportunities in many fields including bio-inorganic chemistry. These ligands fit the prerequisites for metal drug development and recent achievements have demonstrated the great potential of these compounds. The properties of these metal NHC complexes also allow for easy post-functionalization, thus enabling molecular diversity for efficient drug design. Overall, N-heterocyclic carbene ligands reveal new opportunities for Pt drug development