Abstract

Texaphyrins, a class of tumor selective expanded porphyrins capable of coordinating large metals, have been found to act as redox mediators within biological systems. This review summarizes studies involving their experimentaluse in cancer chemotherapy. Mechanistic insights involving their presumed mode of action are also described, as well as certain structure activity relationships. Finally, newer texaphyrin-based applications associated with targeted drug delivery are presented.

Keywords: Texaphyrin, reactive oxygen species, anticancer activity, mechanism of action, zinc, platinum delivery, alpha and beta core emitters, superoxide dismutase, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), hydroquinones, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Gd-oxalate-Gd bridging interactions, NAD levels