Quinone‐Based Metal Complexes for Breast Cancer Therapy: Recent Trends in Drug Design and Selectivity
TL;DR
The structural features of various quinone ligands and transition metals that influence their anticancer efficacy are examined, focusing on their capacity to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulate DNA integrity, disrupt mitochondrial function, and inhibit key enzymatic pathways.
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional chemotherapy, which often faces limitations due to drug resistance and adverse side effects. In this context, quinone‐based metal complexes have emerged as promising candidates, offering tunable bioactivity and diverse mechanisms of action against various breast cancer subtypes. This review mainly summarizes the advances reported from 2018 to 2026 and also includes selected milestone studies published before 2018 to provide the historical and mechanistic background for understanding the evolution of quinone‐based metal complexes for breast cancer therapy. Specifically, we examine the structural features of various quinone ligands and transition metals that influence their anticancer efficacy, focusing on their capacity to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulate DNA integrity, disrupt mitochondrial function, and inhibit key enzymatic pathways. Finally, we delineate the current challenges in translating these complexes from preclinical research to clinical application, including issues related to stability, solubility, and off‐target effects, while also outlining future directions for rational design and personalized medicine approaches.