When this book was first conceived as a project the expanding interest in the clinical use of platinum and gold complexes made a survey of the relevant biological properties of metal complexes timely and appropriate. This timeliness has not diminished during the gestation and final publica tion of the manuscript. The introduction contains an explanation of the layout and approach to the book, which I wrote as an overall survey of the wide variety of biological properties of metal complexes. Hopefully, the reader will see the parallels in mechanisms and behavior, even in different organisms. The writing was considerably helped by the enthusiasm and confidence (totally unearned on my part) in the project of Professor Brian James and lowe him my special thanks. I also owe a great debt of gratitude to my colleagues, and especially to Eucler Paniago, of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, for their comprehension and for the initial leave of absence which allowed me to begin the project. To those who read some or all of the manuscript and made suggestions, Bernhard Lippert, Kirsten Skov, and Tom Tritton, as well as the editor's reviewer I am also grateful. As usual, the final responsibility for errors or otherwise rests with the author.

This book is organized into 12 important chapters that focus on the progress made by metal-based drugs as anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neurodegenerative agents, as well as highlights the application areas of newly discovered metallodrugs. It can prove beneficial for researchers, investigators and scientists whose work involves inorganic and coordination chemistry, medical science, pharmacy, biotechnology and biomedical engineering.

Inorganic and Organometallic Transition Metal Complexes with Biological Molecules and Living Cells provides a complete overview of this important research area that is perfect for both newcomers and expert researchers in the field. Through concise chapters written and edited by esteemed experts, this book brings together a comprehensive treatment of the area previously only available through scattered, lengthy review articles in the literature. Advanced topics of research are covered, with particular focus on recent advances in the biological applications of transition metal complexes, including inorganic medicine, enzyme inhibitors, antiparasital agents, and biological imaging reagents. - Geared toward researchers and students who seek an introductory overview of the field, as well as researchers working in advanced areas - Focuses on the interactions of inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes with biological molecules and live cells - Foscuses on the fundamentals and their potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications - Covers recent biological applications of transition metal complexes, such as anticancer drugs, enzyme inhibitors, bioconjugation agents, chemical biology tools, and bioimaging reagents

Metal-based anticancer drugs are among the most successful therapeutic agents, as evidenced by the frequent prescription of selected platinum and arsenic compounds to patients. Metal-based Anticancer Agents covers the interdisciplinary world of inorganic drug discovery and development by introducing the most prominent compound classes based on different transition metals, discussing emerging concepts and enabling methods, as well as presenting key pre-clinical and clinical aspects. Recent progress on the unique features of next-generation targeted metal-based anticancer agents, including supramolecular coordination complexes used for both therapy and drug delivery, promise a bright future beyond the benefits of pure cytotoxic activity. With contributions from global leaders in the field, this book will serve as a useful reference to established researchers as well as a practical guide to those new to metallodrugs, and postgraduate students of medicinal chemistry and metallobiology.

Volume 18, entitled Metallo-Drugs: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on biological, medicinal inorganic chemistry. The serendipitous discovery of the antitumor activity of cis-diamminodichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) by Barnett Rosenberg in the 1960s is a landmark in metallodrug-based chemotherapy. The success of cisplatin in the clinic, followed by oxaliplatin and carboplatin, along with their drawbacks relating mainly to resistance development and severe toxicity, initiated research on polynuclear platinum complexes and on Pt(IV) complexes as prodrugs. Furthermore, the indicated shortcomings led to the exploration of other transition and main group metal ions, among them Ru(II/III), Au(I/III), Ti(IV), V(IV/V), and Ga(III) including also the essential metal ions Fe(II/III), Cu(I/II), and Zn(II). Ionic as well as covalent and non-covalent interactions between structurally very different complexes and biomolecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are studied and discussed with regard to their possible anticancer actions. Hence, MILS-18 summarizes the research at the forefront of medicinal inorganic chemistry, including studies on the next-generation, tailor-made anticancer drugs. All this and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 17 stimulating chapters of this book, written by 39 internationally recognized experts from 10 nations (from the US via Europe to China and Australia). The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested by more than 2700 references, nearly 150 illustrations (more than half in color) and several comprehensive tables. Metallo-Drugs: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from enzymology, material sciences, analytical, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

with contributions by numerous experts

Part A.: Overviews of biological inorganic chemistry : 1. Bioinorganic chemistry and the biogeochemical cycles -- 2. Metal ions and proteins: binding, stability, and folding -- 3. Special cofactors and metal clusters -- 4. Transport and storage of metal ions in biology -- 5. Biominerals and biomineralization -- 6. Metals in medicine. -- Part B.: Metal ion containing biological systems : 1. Metal ion transport and storage -- 2. Hydrolytic chemistry -- 3. Electron transfer, respiration, and photosynthesis -- 4. Oxygen metabolism -- 5. Hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur metabolism -- 6. Metalloenzymes with radical intermediates -- 7. Metal ion receptors and signaling. -- Cell biology, biochemistry, and evolution: Tutorial I. -- Fundamentals of coordination chemistry: Tutorial II.

This book serves to fill an important niche, bridging bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry and will be an invaluable asset for many in the discipline.

Volume 19, entitled Essential Metals in Medicine: Therapeutic Use and Toxicity of Metal Ions in the Clinic of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on the role of metal ions in clinical medicine. Metal ions are tightly regulated in human health: while essential to life, they can be toxic as well. Following an introductory chapter briefly discussing several important metal-related drugs and diseases and a chapter about drug development, the focus is fi rst on iron: its essentiality for pathogens and humans as well as its toxicity. Chelation therapy is addressed in the context of thalassemia, its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases and also the risks connected with iron administration are pointed out. A subject of intense debate is the essentiality of chromium and vanadium. For example, chromium(III) compounds are taken as a nutritional supplement by athletes and bodybuilders; in contrast, chromate, Cr(VI), is toxic and a carcinogen for humans. The benefi cial and toxic effects of manganese, cobalt, and copper on humans are discussed. The need for antiparasitic agents is emphasized as well as the clinical aspects of metal-containing antidotes for cyanide poisoning. In addition to the essential and possibly essential ones, also other metal ions play important roles in human health, causing harm (like the metalloid arsenic, lead or cadmium) or being used in diagnosis or treatment of human diseases, like gadolinium, gallium, lithium, gold, silver or platinum. The impact of this vibrant research area on metals in the clinic is provided in 14 stimulating chapters, written by internationally recognized experts from the Americas, Europe and China, and is manifested by approximately 2000 references, and about 90 illustrations and tables. Essential Metals in Medicine: Therapeutic Use and Toxicity of Metal Ions in the Clinic is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from pharmacology, enzymology, material sciences, analytical, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

Contents: Gérard Jaouen, Nils Metzler-Nolte : Introduction ; Stéphane GIBAUD and Gérard JAOUEN: Arsenic - based drugs: from Fowler’s solution to modern anticancer chemotherapy; Ana M. Pizarro, Abraha Habtemariam and Peter J. Sadler : Activation Mechanisms for Organometallic Anticancer Complexes; Angela Casini, Christian G. Hartinger, Alexey A. Nazarov, Paul J. Dyson : Organometallic antitumour agents with alternative modes of action; Elizabeth A. Hillard, Anne Vessières, Gerard Jaouen : Ferrocene functionalized endocrine modulators for the treatment of cancer; Megan Hogan and Matthias Tacke : Titanocenes – Cytotoxic and Anti-Angiogenic Chemotherapy Against Advanced Renal-Cell Cancer; Seann P. Mulcahy and Eric Meggers : Organometallics as Structural Scaffolds for Enzyme Inhibitor Design; Christophe Biot and Daniel Dive : Bioorganometallic Chemistry and Malaria; Nils Metzler-Nolte : Biomedical applications of organometal-peptide conjugates; Roger Alberto : Organometallic Radiopharmaceuticals; Brian E. Mann : Carbon Monoxide – an essential signaling molecule.