A new platinum complex has been shown to be more effective than existing compounds of the precious metal at destroying tumour cells, it emerged today (14th September).

Drugs containing platinum, such as cisplatin, are proven anti-tumour agents, but research has shown that they often contain damaging side-effects, the Medical News reports.

However, a team of scientists at the Universities of Warwick and Edinburgh - plus the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee - believe they may have found a safer alternative.

Led by Peter Sadler, the group developed a photoactivated drug, which incorporates the administering of an inactive precursor, then the irradiation of the diseased tissue to convert the drug into its local cytotoxic form.

The new agent, which contains two azido (N3), two hydroxyl (OH) and two pyridine ligands, was found to be superior to cisplatin in tests detailed in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

Mr Sadler said: "The special thing about our complex is that is not only activated by UV light, reports Sadler, but also by low doses of blue or green light.

"Light activation generates a powerful cytotoxic compound that has proven to be significantly more effective than cisplatin against a whole series of cancer cells tested."

Meanwhile, researchers at Rockford Health System claimed recently that platinum wires are crucial in cerebral embolisation with coiling - a new process which treats cerebral aneurysms to prevent strokes occurring.

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Platinum and light together fight cancer (14/09/10) 

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