Phenanthriplatin, also known as cis-[Pt(NH3)2-(phenanthridine)Cl]NO3, is a new drug candidate. It belongs to a family of platinum(II)-based agents which includes cisplatin, oxaliplatin and carboplatin. Phenanthriplatin Acts As a Covalent Poison of Topoisomerase II Cleavage Complexes. Phenanthriplatin exhibits significantly greater activity than cisplatin and oxaliplatin. The cellular uptake of phenanthriplatin is substantially greater than that of cisplatin and pyriplatin because of the hydrophobicity of the phenanthridine ligand. Phenanthriplatin binds more effectively to 5'-deoxyguanosine monophosphate than to N-acetyl methionine, whereas pyriplatin reacts equally well with both reagents.