Cytotoxicity, qualitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR), and anti-tumor activity of bismuth dithiocarbamate complexes

Bismuth dithiocarbamate complexes of general formula Bi(S2CNR2)3 demonstrate potent in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of seven human cancer cell lines; a structure–activity relationship has been established. Potency exhibited by the R = Et (2) derivative, for example, is unrivalled by standard cancer drugs with the exception of paclitaxel. In vivo studies indicate a significant anti-tumor effect exerted by (2) against both OVCAR-3, an ovarian cancer cell line, and HT-29, a colon carcinoma cell line.