A review on chemical and physical properties of tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) anion drug is useful for TTM treated diseases

Tetrathiomolybdate anion (MoS₄²⁻; TTM) is a promising anti-copper drug, especially for the treatment of copper overloaded diseases such as Wilson diseases (WD) and several forms of cancer. Besides drug, the interest in Cu-TTM interaction expanded when a hetero-metal-cofactor, [Cu(TTM)₂]^3- was found in the orange protein (ORP), isolated from a sulfate-reducing bacteria. Over the decades, a systematic chemistry of TTM has been well documented. The stability, redox chemistry and metal ions binding affinity of TTM are highly influenced by several factors, including solvent, pH, counter cations, H-bonding, reductant, and oxidant. Therefore, prior to use the TTM as an anti-copper drug on patients with WD/cancer, all physicochemical parameters of TTM should be considered for understanding the efficacy and toxicity. This review sheds light on chemical and physical properties of TTM and the nature of Cu-TTM complexes in biological conditions in order to understand the fate of TTM as well as Cu-TTM complex in vivo.