Bismuth dithiocarbamate complexes as anticancer agents and beyond: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Bismuth dithiocarbamate (Bi-DTC) complexes have emerged as promising candidates in the fight against cancer, attributed to their unique mechanisms of action and low toxicity compared to traditional metal-based therapies. With their sulfur-rich coordination sites, the dithiocarbamate (DTC) ligands facilitate versatile binding and structural diversity, enabling the formation of supramolecular assemblies with potent biological activity. While bismuth itself does not naturally exhibit biological functions, its dithiocarbamate derivatives have demonstrated notable efficacy as anticancer agents and antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that bismuth dithiocarbamates (Bi-DTC) can effectively induce apoptosis, suppress tumour growth, and overcome chemoresistance, positioning them as innovative therapeutic options. This review examines the synthesis strategies, biological mechanisms, and experimental evidence supporting the anticancer potential of these complexes. It also highlights their antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities, emphasising the role of antimicrobial properties in preventive and supportive therapies during cancer treatment. However, further investigations are essential to delineate their mechanisms of action and optimise their clinical applicability for cancer treatment.