Mechanisms of action of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Photodynamic Therapy Photosensitizers and Chemotherapy Agents

This PhD thesis aims to evaluate chemically and, more importantly, biologically Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes. These metal complexes can be used as photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizers (PS) or as chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment. PDT is an alternative or complimentary treatment to surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Currently it draws a lot of attention due to its advantages. Especially interesting is its spatial and temporal control, which leads to targeting tumours while preserving healthy tissue. Additionally, repeatedly occurring resistances and severe side effects brought by chemotherapy urges the scientific world to search for new anticancer drug candidates. Ruthenium complexes are one of the most promising groups of metal-based drug candidates (as chemotherapeutics or PSs) owing to their multiple stable oxidation states, etc. This thesis describes an overview of the known modes of action of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes as PDT PS and introduces new complexes that can be used in regular as well as targeted PDT. Additionally, this thesis also focuses on the characterisation of novel class of Ru complexes that were generated as potential anticancer agents for chemotherapy by coordination of different dioxo-ligands to the metal core. (author)