Nitric oxide donor-based platinum complexes as potential anticancer agents.

Joining forces: Platinum complexes containing organic nitrate ligands were investigated as anticancer agents. The complexes, which were stable in aqueous solution, showed cytotoxicity that was superior to that of the corresponding parent compound (carboplatin), thus suggesting an interesting synergy between the ability of the nitrate-based ligands to release nitric oxide and the ability of the platinum moiety to inhibit DNA synthesis (see scheme).