Gold complexes as antitumor agents

In 1890, Robert Koch noticed that AuCN suppressed the growth of tuberculosis bacteria. This observation was not of practical use due to the very high 

Spirogermanium inhibited the in vitro growth of tumor cells of a wide spec-trum. - There have been extensive investigations in vivo and the results are promising. Great attention has been paid to carboxygermanium sesquioxide [sesqui (Lat.) = one and a half] (HOOCCH2CH2GeO 5), known as Ge-132. 

The compound has a layered structure, being composed of Ge O rings, similar to crown ether, with -CH2CH2COOH groups that form hydrogen bonds between layers.Both germanium compounds mentioned (spirogermanium and Ge-132) are applied in clinical practice.  

As we have noticed, metal complexes are widely used in cancer therapy. However, the non-metal boron recently appears to be a promising agent in the so-called boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). This is the reason why we want to point out the importance of this newly developing field, despite the fact that boron is a non-metal. 

Recently, new clinical trials are carried out in the U.S.A., Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. The results are promising.  

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Gold Complexes as Antitumor Agents Luigi Messori and Giordana Marcon... 

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