Ruthenium Arene Complexes In Cancer Therapy: Mechanism Of Action Of RAED-C And Comparison With RAPTA-C

Abstract
The limits of platinum-based chemotherapeutics, such as dose-limiting toxicity and acquired resistance, have inspired extensive research on substitute metal-based anticancer agents. Ruthenium complexes have developed as promising candidates due to their favourable redox properties, ligand exchange kinetics, and biological selectivity. Among organometallic ruthenium (II) arene complexes, RAED-C (η6-p-cymene) Ru(ethylenediamine)ClPF₆ has gained much attraction for its honoured DNA-targeting ability and cytotoxic activity against primary tumours. The present systematic review focuses on compiling available literature on the chemical structure, mechanism of action, chromatin binding behaviour, in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity, as well as the structure-activity relationships of RAED-C. Comparisons with closely related ruthenium complexes, especially RAPTA-C, will be discussed to evidence how delicate changes in the ligand tune biological consequences. The gathering of information justifies that RAED-C is a promising lead compound in ruthenium-based chemotherapy, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for further translational and clinical research.