Recent Advancements in Organotin(IV) Complexes as Potent Cytotoxic Agents

Abstract

Background: Cancer cases have escalated by approximately 12% since1900 and incidence rate has increased faster for females than males. Cisplatin’s discovery in 1965 paved the way for the metal-based compounds as cancer therapeutics. Unfortunately, cisplatin and other platinum-based medicines causes severe side effects. Therefore, non–platinum metal complexes have been developed as alternative chemotherapy for cancer. Among non-platinum metal complexes, organotin’s are the most effective candidates in oncology due to their wide range of anticancer activity with relatively minimal toxicities towards healthy cells, better excretion from body and fewer side-effects than platinum drugs. Methods: Using DOI searching, advances made by organotin(IV) complexes coordinated with Sn–O, Sn–N and Sn–S as anticancer chemotherapeutic agents since 2018 have been summarized in this article. Chemical structure, in vitro antiproliferative activity in terms of IC50/EC50/LD50 are cumulated. Results: As reflected in this perspective, organotin(IV) complexes are found to induce high cell death via apoptosis and also several complexes demonstrated anticancer activity even higher than standard drugs. Conclusion: Undoubtedly, the organotin(IV) complexes could bring hope to morbidity and mortality of human being caused by fast spreading cancer in the whole world and can play an important role in drug discovery.