Exploring ionic liquids (ILs) in cancer research, this review highlights their potential to inhibit cancer-cell growth. Considering diverse applications and mechanisms, it provides crucial insights for developing refined IL-based cancer therapies. By targeting specific pathways, it presents possibilities for effective and low side-effect treatments, offering promise in the fight against cancer.

Abstract

Despite advances in cancer treatment, many types of cancer still have high mortality rates, and the existing therapies can cause considerable side effects. Therefore, discovering new therapies, especially ones with fewer side effects, is desirable to improve the outcomes for cancer patients. Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as potential candidates for cancer treatment because of their particular physicochemical properties, which can be tailored for specific applications. In recent years, interest in exploring the potential of ILs in cancer treatment has been growing, and several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ILs in inhibiting cancer-cell growth. This review provides insight into the anticancer potential of ILs, exploring the diverse applications and the underlying mechanisms behind the cytotoxicity toward cancer cells of ILs. Understanding the mechanisms behind the cytotoxicity of ILs can aid in the design and optimization of IL-based cancer therapies. By focusing on specific pathways and targets, IL-based cancer therapies may be developed that offer new possibilities for treating this devastating disease.