Platinum coordination compounds with potent anticancer activity

Many international researchers have strived to understand the mechanism of action or improve the efficacy of inorganic coordination compounds that have been identified to exhibit anticancer activity. The inherent challenges of chemotherapy demand that new strategies be developed utilising different mechanisms of action to interrupt the cellular machinery of cancer cells. In Australia, we have benefited from the research of colleagues who have influenced modern platinum chemistry by contributing to our understanding of platinum oxidation and reduction, the mechanism of action of cisplatin, and unique design strategies for new platinum complexes. The purpose of this review is to provide some background in the history and development of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes.