The development of therapeutics based on metals has been accelerated
owing to the advanced activities of metal ions and their effective role in the field of
biology. Therapeutics refers to the branch of science that deals with the treatment of
diseases and the action of remedial agents. Metals are vital cellular substances opted by
surroundings for numerous activities in various fundamental biochemical functions in
living beings. The application of metals and their derivatives for clinical purposes has
been practiced for a long time. A well-known drug based on metal, cisplatin, is
universally utilized for the treatment of cancer, which chiefly aims at the retardation of
genitourinary tumors like testicular cancer. However, drug resistance and certain side
effects have restricted the applications of this drug in the medical field. With growing
developments in the sector of inorganic chemistry, transition metals play a crucial role
as therapeutic agents. Inorganic chemists have enabled the development of numerous
transition metal-based complexes linked with required organic ligands, which are
applied as therapeutics. This chapter throws light on the drugs based on metal
complexes and their applications as therapeutic agents.
Keywords: Metal complexes, Metal-based drugs, Medicinal chemistry, Therapeutic applications.
