Anticancer perspectives of vanadium complexes

[Display omitted] •Vanadium's oxidation states (+2 to +5) influence its roles in various environments, including industrial and biological settings. Vanadium complexes ease of oxidation/reduction and interaction with biological molecules make them attractive for medical and industrial applications. Vanadium's dual role as an essential trace element and potential harm from excess underscores its complexity in living organisms. Vanadium(III), (IV), and (V) complexes exhibit promising antitumor effects with selectivity and low toxicity, outperforming platinum-based drugs. Vanadium complexes abilities to enhance traditional chemotherapy and their potential in diverse applications underscore their scientific significance. Cellular tyrosine phosphatase inhibition and tyrosine phosphorylase activation by vanadium complexes trigger apoptosis and suppress tumor growth. Limited understanding of vanadium complexes effects on cancer cell signaling pathways hampers their full potential in anticancer therapy. Vanadium metal is widely spread in various environments and has essential roles in biological systems. Vanadium based compounds have been proposed for cancer as a new category of non platinum metal anticancer drugs. Vanadium compounds activate transcription factors and signaling pathways in cells, which can potentiate their therapeutic applications. Additionally, these complexes exhibit potential antitumor effects by hindering cellular tyrosine phosphatases or stimulating tyrosine phosphorylases in different cell lines. These effects trigger cellular signal transduction pathways, culminating in apoptosis and the activation of genes that suppress tumor growth, cell-cycle arrest, cytotoxic effects, and modulation of cellular adhesive molecules. However, the knowledge of vanadium complexes effects on cell signaling pathways in cancer cells is limited. Understanding these pathways is crucial for identifying molecular targets that are responsible for the anticancer activity of vanadium complexes. The low toxicity of vanadium, combined with the advancement of more powerful and well tolerated complexes, could position it as a promising non-platinum metal agent for combating tumors.