Boon and bane of metal ions in medicine.
In biological systems metal ions promote responses that range from deficiency to toxicity. Some, such as iron and zinc, have a known optimal intake range for normal, healthy individuals. Metal ions contained within well-designed molecules already constitute a great boon for the medicinal pharmacopoeia. However, whether essential or not, the threshold for toxicity can be very low. One of the challenges of designing metal-based drugs is to balance the potential toxicity of an active formulation with the substantial positive impact of these increasingly common therapeutic and diagnostic aids.
Thompson
Katherine H
KH
Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
Orvig
Chris
C
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001682:Biological Availability; D002614:Chelating Agents; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003287:Contrast Media; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D015195:Drug Design; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008280:Magnetics; D008670:Metals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008024:Ligands; D008670:Metals