The design of cyclometalated iridium(iii)–metformin complexes for hypoxic cancer treatment

Abstract

Modulating the hypoxic microenvironment is the priority for tumor treatment. Cytometalated iridium(III)–metformin conjugates were synthesized for treating hypoxic cancer cells for the first time, which alleviate hypoxia via mitochondria respiration inhibition, thus displaying 10-fold higher cytotoxicity, emerging anti-metastasis and anti-inflammatory activities than a metformin-free Ir(III) complex and cisplatin against hypoxic cancer cells.