Progress in the synthesis and antitumor activity of copper(Ⅱ)-based complexes

Copper is kind of life element, which plays an important role in the development of tumor and is used to predict the prognosis and treatment of tumor. Copper ions play a vital role in living organisms after forming copper(Ⅱ)-based complexes with corresponding ligands. Copper(Ⅱ)-based complexes are considered as an alternative to cisplatin-based antitumor drugs due to with the characteristics of low toxicity and low drug resistance. In this paper, the synthesis of Copper(II)-based complexes and their antitumor activities by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting inflammation and tumor angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro studies are reviewed, which is important for the development of highly efficient and low-toxicity metal-complexed antitumor drugs.