Story of Cis-platin A Unique Cancer Drug

Thomas Mayer, Tarum Kapoor, Stuart Schreiber, and others (at Harvard) took. They combed through over 16,000 compounds and found several small compounds that affected mitosis in dividing cells but not in nondividing cells. One such compound, monastrol (see Fig. 7.7 for the structure), apparently affects the spindle formation in mitosis, but the details of mechanism are unknown. 

How does it work Well the following is what the researchers believe to happoi. Cis-platin is first transported into the cell via diffusion subsequent to an intravenous administration. The chloride ions are replaced by water yielding apositively charged complex. 

7J Cis-platin (the broken lines show the framework, not the bonds) 

as long as cis-platin enters exclusively into the tumor cells, it would work wonders. Because tumor cells are in rapid replication mode, they have more chance than ordinary cells to be affected by the platinum compound. And this is the reason for the effectiveness of cis-platin. However, it is likely that cis-platin enters other kinds of cells, too. This would lead to toxic side effects. Indeed, there are some severe side effects including diarrhea and nausea. 

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