Pros and cons of bifunctional platinum(iv) antitumor prodrugs: two are (not always) better than one

Abstract

This article evaluates the efficacy and applicability of bifunctional prodrugs consisting of a six-coordinate Pt(IV) octahedral core and one or more bioactive molecules. The platinum(IV) complexes release upon reduction the corresponding cytotoxic Pt(II) agents and the bioactive molecules, able to inhibit some biochemical mechanisms of cancer growth and/or prevent the deactivation of the Pt(II) metabolites.