Abstract
One of the major limitations in successful cancer chemotherapy is the emergence of
multidrug resistance (MDR), a phenomenon that allows cancer cells to evade the cytotoxic
effects of various chemotherapeutic agents, even those with different chemical structures
and mechanisms of action. To overcome this challenge, the search for novel and more
effective anticancer agents remains a priority. Heterocyclic compounds, particularly
those containing five-membered rings such as thiazole, triazole, furan, imidazole,
oxazole, and thiophene, have garnered significant attention in recent years due to
their diverse biological activities. In this review, we have specifically highlighted
recent advances in the design and evaluation of heterocyclic compounds with a focus
on their anticancer potential. Owing to their structural versatility, favorable pharmacokinetic
profiles, and ability to interact with multiple biological targets, these heterocycles
serve as promising scaffolds in drug discovery. In this review, we highlight recent
advances from 2020 to the present in the development of five-membered heterocyclic
hybrids for cancer treatment. A variety of such hybrids have shown strong anticancer
efficacy with lower toxicity, making them attractive candidates for further exploration.
This review summarizes their structure–activity relationships and biological evaluations.
Overall, the article provides valuable insights for medicinal chemists and researchers
engaged in the development of next-generation anticancer agents based on five-membered
heterocyclic frameworks.
Keywords
Anticancer - Furan - Heterocyclic compounds - Imidazole - Oxazole - Pyrazole - Thiazole
- Thiophene - Triazole
