Organelle-targeting metal anticancer agents

Organelles, including the nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and the Golgi apparatus are essential for the function of a cell. Organelle-targeting cancer treatment can aid our insight into the mechanism of action of therapeutic agents and prevent potential off-target side effects toward normal tissue. The excellent optical properties of luminescent metal complexes such as long-lived phosphorescence, high photostability and large Stokes shifts, also allows their use as theranostic agents and the exploration of how organelles function in cancerous cells. This review focuses on the general design strategy of organelle-targeting metal complexes and their application in organelle-targeting cancer treatment.