| Human transferrins (hTf) are a family of single-chain glycoproteins, working as the iron transporter in blood. Cancer cells often require a high level of iron(III) in order to facilitate rapid cell growth and thereby express a high level of the hTf receptors (hTfR). The heterometal-transferrin complexes, such as ruthenium(III), gallium(III), indium(III), and titanium(IV) complexes, are still recognized by TfR, and can be thus transported to cells via TfR-mediated endocytosis. Accordingly, the... |
