MCL-1 as a potent target for cancer: Recent advancements, structural insights and SAR studies

The myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) differentiation protein belongs to the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins which regulates the apoptosis or cell death. Mcl-1 is known for its pro-survival in response to various stressors. Therefore, it acts as a prominent target in cancer treatment. Mcl-1 has emerged as one of the validated drug targets for anticancer drug discovery as their expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancers. In this review, we have included the various inhibitors based on many heterocyclic rings such as pyrrole, pyrazole, coumarin, quinoline and indole. This manuscript incorporates the anticancer activity, structure activity relationship (SAR) and molecular modelling of recently synthesized Mcl-1 inhibitors. The clinical trial status of Mcl-1 inhibitors is also described. But till now, no Mcl-1 inhibitor has been approved by any drug authority. This review is based on extensive research in the field of designing Mcl-1 inhibitors from 2020 to till now. It will provide extensive information to researchers and scientists for designing of novel Mcl-1 inhibitors.