Therapeutic Potential of Copper Complexes in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy or targeted therapies, leaving chemotherapy as the primary treatment option. Additionally, it has high propensity to metastasize and rapidly develops resistance to conventional drugs. In this regard copper (Cu) complexes are emerging as promising alternatives, as they can induce cell death by various mechanisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, and disruption of key signaling pathways. Also, Cu being redox active, its complexes can easily generate ROS and create oxidative stress that assists in redox-mediated cell death. In view of the above potential, Cu complexes are being widely investigated as potential candidates that can substitute traditional drugs or be used in combination therapies for TNBC to combat drug resistance, which is a major challenge. This review article focuses on therapeutic potential of reported Cu complexes on TNBC and includes a detailed discussion on their mechanism of action.