The zinc (II) complex may in the future constitute an alternative to the currently used anti-cancer drugs, the anti-cancer effect of which is based on the presence of platinum particles. The latest data show that the zinc (II) complex is equally effective at killing cancer cells, without causing such drastic side effects of the therapy, reports Dalton Transactions.
The chemicals used today in cancer therapy are effective in killing cancer cells while damaging the healthy tissues of the patient. The symptoms of their undesirable effects are known as side effects of the therapy. What’s more, cancer cells become resistant to some anti-cancer drugs – like bacteria to antibiotics!
Scientists from the University of Calabria (Italy) have discovered new, anti-cancer properties of the zinc (II) complex, which may replace anti-cancer drugs in the future, causing strong, adverse side effects of therapy, including, inter alia, expensive platinum.
The anti-cancer molecule is made up of a zinc ion surrounded by several organic molecules with a ring structure that exhibit chelating properties. Zinc (II) complexes with such planar ligands are of particular interest for their anti-tumor properties.
In experiments, scientists tested the anti-cancer features of the zinc (II) complex on prostate cancer cells. It turned out that zinc, many times cheaper than platinum, is comparably effective in destroying cancer cells, without causing such strong side effects as the platinum-based drug available in pharmacies.
According to Italian researchers, today the exact mechanism responsible for the anti-cancer properties of the zinc (II) complex is not known, but the results obtained during the research are very promising. For this reason, intensive experimental work is carried out to thoroughly understand the properties of the newly produced zinc (II) complex.
Scientists hope that the new cheap and therefore widely available zinc-based anti-cancer drug will reach pharmacies as soon as possible. (PAP)