Patent ID: 8877215

Claim:
A method for modifying a cell undergoing uncontrolled cell growth comprising the steps of: providing a complex to the cell, the complex having a formula selected from [Ru 2 (X) 4 tatpp] 4+ , [Ru 2 (X) 4 tatpq] 4+ , and the salts and stereoisomers thereof, wherein tatpp and tatpq are redox active ligands and X is a heterocyclic aromatic compound; wherein the redox active ligand has a reduction potential that is accessible in a cellular milieu; reducing the redox active ligand of the complex with a reducing agent present in the cell; and modifying the cell with the reduced complex, wherein modification of the cell comprises breaking one strand of DNA, breaking two strands of DNA in close proximity, inhibiting topoisomerase I, inhibiting topoisomerase II, inhibiting impulse transmission, inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibiting cell growth, inhibiting DNA replication, inhibiting DNA duplication, inhibiting tumor progression, inhibiting tumor growth, or combinations thereof; and wherein no additional compounds need be provided for the modification to occur.