cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) - (Cisplatin)
Cisplatin is the first inorganic compound to be used to treat cancer.
Its effectiveness depends on the in vivo dissociation of the chloro ligands and the coordination of the rest of the molecule to DNA. This results in the interruption of DNA replication and thus prevents the division of the cancer cells.
Cisplatin is used successfully to treat different types of cancer, but it also causes undesired side effects.
Development of more tolerable derviatives with organic ligands is underway.