METAL-COMPLEXES IN MEDICINE - DESIGN AND MECHANISM OF ACTION

The application of inorganic chemistry to medicine (''Elemental Medici ne'') is a rapidly developing field, and novel therapeutic and diagnos tic metal complexes are now having an impact on medical practice. Adva nces in biocoordination chemistry are crucial for improving the design of compounds to reduce toxic side-effects and understand their mechan isms of action. In this article, we focus on the chemistry of two key areas: the biotransformation of metal complexes and targeting, with pa rticular reference to platinum anticancer, gold antiarthritic, and bis muth antiulcer drugs.