The aim of this work is to review the literature regarding cancer, cancer treatment with an emphasis on metal complexes with anticancer potential and selective, hypoxia-based activation. A further goal of this work is the synthesis of already known and also new Co(III) ternary complexes with tripodal N-donor atom containing tetradentate amines (tren and tpa, respectively) and various flavonols with anti-cancer potential (flavonol, chrysin, 5-hydroxyflavone).