Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of Sulfonamides and Their Metal Complexes as Promising Therapeutic Agents

Sulfonamides, commonly known as sulfa drugs, are well-established anticancer agents whose activity is highly dependent on their substitution pattern. The anticancer activity of sulfonamide derivatives is mediated through several mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes, cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and disruption of microtubule dynamics. Sulfonamides are also utilized as ligands for the synthesis of metal complexes with ions such as Ni(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Sn(II), and Sr(II). These complexes exhibit diverse biological activities, including radical scavenging, enzyme inhibition, as well as antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Numerous complexes have been identified to demonstrate favorable activity against various cancer cell lines.