Research progress on anticancer ativities of polypyridine-based iron group metal complexes

Polypyridine derivatives represent a significant class of ligands in coordination chemistry, renowned for their stable coordination capabilities and low toxicity to biological systems, making them ideal candidates for constructing anticancer complexes. Their metal complexes exhibit potential anticancer activity against various malignancies, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, myeloid leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. The iron group elements (iron, cobalt, nickel) have garnered extensive attention from researchers due to their unique redox activities and biochemical properties. To address the issue of drug resistance in existing anticancer therapies, researchers have begun exploring the application of iron group elements in the field of anticancer research. Through extensive structural modifications of polypyridine ligands, a series of metal complexes with novel structures and excellent biological activities have been successfully synthesized. This article reviews the synthesis, cytotoxicity, mechanisms of action, and application potential of polypyridine-based iron group metal complexes over the past decade, providing a theoretical foundation and innovative insights for the development of new anticancer drugs.