Ferrocene-based compounds: promising anticancer and antimalarial agents in modern therapeutics

Ferrocene, owing to its inherent stability, favourable redox characteristics, and low toxicity, has emerged as a significant structural motif in the field of bioorganometallic chemistry. Two prominent examples of ferrocene’s impact on medicinal chemistry are ferroquine and ferrocifen, both demonstrating remarkable antimalarial and anticancer activities. The enhanced therapeutic properties observed in these drug candidates underscore the profound influence ferrocene can exert on the molecular and biological behaviour of bioactive compounds. This Perspective delves into the scope and limitations of incorporating ferrocene into organic molecules and natural products, examining how such modifications affect their mechanisms of action and overall biological activities. A detailed discussion is provided on the role of ferrocene derivatization in modulating the anticancer, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties of diverse bioactive moieties. The ultimate goal is to provide insights that contribute to the design and development of safer and more effective ferrocene-based drugs and focusing on their potential to address the critical unmet needs in cancer and malaria treatment.