A potential rhodium cancer therapy: studies of a cytotoxic organorhodium(I) complex that binds DNA.

Described is a novel organorhodium(I) complex that is cytotoxic to the colon cancer cell line HCT116 and alters cell migration, DNA replication, and DNA condensation. Most importantly, the mechanism observed is not seen for the parent organorhodium dimer complex [{RhCl(COD)}2], RhCl3, or the free ligand/proligands (COD and 1-nbutyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride). Thus, the activity of this organorhodium complex is attributable to its unique structure.