University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6): 145-159.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202406019

• Survey of Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research on Programmed Cell Death Induced by Metal Antitumor Drugs

Jiahao Zeng, Hui Chao   

  1. MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
  • Received:2024-06-11 Accepted:2024-09-02 Published:2025-06-20
  • Contact: CHAO Hui E-mail:ceschh@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Abstract: In biological systems, cell death represents a crucial biological process encompassing diverse modalities characterized by distinct triggers, molecular mechanisms, and phenotypic features. Elucidating the molecular pathways governing various cell death modalities enables targeted intervention and precise regulation of cellular demise, which holds paramount significance in cancer therapeutics. The discovery of cisplatin’s antiproliferative effects on cancer cells has catalyzed extensive investigation into metallic compounds for antitumor applications. The mechanisms through which metal-based antitumor agents induce cell death exhibit remarkable diversity and complexity. Systematic exploration of these death pathways facilitates the rational design of metallodrugs capable of triggering specific cell death modalities, thereby enabling tailored therapeutic strategies and optimized treatment outcomes. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in metal-based agents that induce apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, oncosis, and immunogenic cell death.

Key words: Metal drugs, Programmed cell death, Antitumor