La Nueva Farmacoterapia Inorgánica. XVIII. Compuestos de Lantánidos.

SUMMARY. “The New Inorganic Pharmacotherapy. XVIII. Lanthanide Compounds”. The relevant characteristics of the chemistry of lanthanides and its possible impact on biological systems are presented. Next, various aspects related to the pharmacological activity of some of the elements of this group are discussed, in particular antiemetic, antimicrobial and antitumoral activity. Additionaly, the impact of lanthanum carbonate for the treatment of hyperphosphatemias and the new gadolinium complexes, used as contrasting agents in nuclear magnetic resonance studies, are also analyzed. The potential of different radiopharmaceuticals containing metals of this group is also discussed. Finally, brief comments about the toxicity of these elements are made.