Abstract

Arene ruthenium(II) complexes have been widely investigated as one of the most promising candidates in chemotherapy because of their low toxicity and high inhibiting activity against the proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis of various tumors in vitro and in vivo. This review highlights the recent developments in different chemical types of arene Ru(II) complexes, as well as their biological activity and underlying mechanisms. The sustained efforts in this aspect of arene Ru(II) complexes would be essential in developing novel anti-tumor agents in the near future.

Keywords: Apoptosis, Arene ruthenium(II) complexes, cell cycle arrest, invadopodia, migration, invasion.