Two ruthenium compounds, namely [ImH] trans-[RuCl4 (Im)(dmso-S)](NAMI-A, Im=
imidazole) and [IndH] trans-[RuCl4 (Ind) 2](KP1019, Ind= indazole) have already completed
phase I clinical trials as anticancer agents. They both have properties different from platinum
anticancer drugs: for example, NAMI-A is selectively active against metastases of solid
tumors. They show that in the field of anticancer metal drugs a new approach, based on
targeted therapies, is possible. After a concise history of ruthenium anticancer compounds …

Ruthenium anticancer compounds: challenges and expectations …