Carboplatin, an example of a metallopharmaceutical
A metallopharmaceutical is a drug that contains a metal as an active ingredient. Most commonly metallopharmaceuticals are used as anticancer or antimicrobial agents. The efficiency of metallopharmaceuticals is crucially dependent on the respective trace metal binding forms.
Examples of metallopharmaceuticals include:
- bismuth subsalicylate – a mild anti-diarrheal also used in treating peptic ulcers caused by antibiotic-resistant H. pylori
- cisplatin and carboplatin – platinum containing anticancer agents
- gold salts such as auranofin – anti-inflammatory for treatment of arthritis
- silver sulfadiazine – antibacterial
- zinc pyrithione – antibacterial and antifungal
Further reading
- Bonett A, Leone R, Muggia R, Howell SB, eds. (2008). Platinum and Other Heavy Metal Compounds in Cancer Chemotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Humana Press. ISBN 978-1-60327-458-6.
- Clarke MJ, Sadler PJ (1999). Metallopharmaceuticals: Diagnosis and therapy. Springer. ISBN 978-3-540-65308-0.
- Clarke MJ, Sadler PJ (1999). Metallopharmaceuticals I: DNA Interactions. Springer. ISBN 978-3-540-64889-5.
- Gielen M, Tiekink ER, eds. (2005). Metallotherapeutic Drugs and Metal-Based Diagnostic Agents: The Use of Metals in Medicine. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-86403-6.
- Jones CJ, Thornback J (2007). Medicinal Applications of Coordination Chemistry. RSC Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85404-596-9.