Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for ovarian cancer treatment: from organic to inorganic chemotherapeutics towards selectivity—a perspective overview

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal gynecologic cancer in industrialized countries. Treatments for OC include the surgical removal and chemotherapy. In the last decades, improvements have been made in the surgery technologies, drug combinations and administration protocols, and in diagnosis. However, mortality from OC is still high owing to recurrences and insurgence of drug resistance. Accordingly, it is urgent the development of novel agents capable to effectively target OC. In this respect, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) may play an important role. Most of TKIs developed and tested so far are organic. However, owing to their chemical versatility, also metals can be exploited to design selective and potent TKIs. We provide a short and easy-to-read overview on the main organic TKIs with a summary of those that entered clinical trials. Additionally, we describe the potential of metal-based TKIs, focusing on this overlooked family of compounds that may significantly contribute towards the concept of precision-medicine.