Au NHC complexes as anticancer agents: milestones, strategies and future developments

Abstract

The need for selective and efficient anticancer therapies drives the development of gold N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as efficient metallodrugs. Their stability, tunable electronics, and versatile steric features make NHCs ideal ligands, which, paired with an antiproliferating gold centre, form an exemplary metal complex for anticancer research. This review highlights the progress made in designing gold NHC complexes, emphasizing strategies to enhance cytotoxicity and selectivity towards cancer cells while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues, emphasizing the crucial role of the NHC ligand. Furthermore, challenges concerning revealing the precise modes of action are discussed. Mechanistic pathways beyond the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase are highlighted. By underlining recent developments, this review aims to pave the way to a rational design of next-generation gold NHC complexes.