Implementing the design cues of dissociation dynamics and transmetalation in gallium( iii ) complexes to promote the anti-proliferative activity of ligands targeting intracellular iron( ii ) trafficking

Chemical Science 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Mahendiran Dharmasivam, Sadia Faiz, Büşra Kaya, Tharushi P. Wijesinghe, Mediha Süleymanoğlu, Mahan Gholam Azad, Věra Richardson, Ameer Fawad Zahoor, Danuta S. Kalinowski, W. Gwyn Lewis, Paul V. Bernhardt, Rukhsana Anjum
+1 more Des R. Richardson
DOI: 10.1039/d5sc06084b
Cited by: 2
References: 125

Abstract

their Zn(ii) and Cu(ii) counterparts. Furthermore, their potency was linked to Fe(ii) ligation rather than Fe(iii), despite electronic similarity to Ga(iii). This study introduces three underexplored design principles for anti-cancer ligand engineering: (i) dynamic complex dissociation; (ii) selective intracellular transmetalation using NNO-containing ligands; and (iii) interception of labile Fe(ii) generated after endosomal Fe(iii) reduction.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Metal complexes synthesis and properties Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis

Publication details

Journal / source
Chemical Science
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
13
Pages
6546–6563
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN