Purine derivatives as potent anticancer agents: a comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Oncology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Cancer is a leading cause of mortality globally, with existing treatments like chemotherapy having limitations.
• There is a critical need for advanced anticancer therapies that are both effective and less toxic.
• Multitargeted agents are being developed to improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize systemic side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent advancements in the development of purine-based hybrid molecules for cancer therapy.
• To highlight the mechanisms by which these compounds overcome drug resistance and target oncogenic pathways.
• To underscore the therapeutic potential of purine scaffolds in designing next-generation anticancer drugs.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of purine-based hybrid molecules developed over the last decade.
• Analysis of mechanistic studies focusing on drug resistance and oncogenic pathway inhibition.
• Evaluation of the therapeutic relevance and versatility of purine scaffolds in anticancer drug design.

Main Results:

• Purine analogues, especially when combined with heterocyclic frameworks, show significant anticancer activity.
• Purine-based hybrid molecules demonstrate potential in overcoming multidrug resistance.
• These compounds effectively target multiple oncogenic pathways, offering a multitargeted therapeutic approach.

Conclusions:

• Purine-based scaffolds are versatile and therapeutically relevant in anticancer drug discovery.
• The rational design of purine-based hybrid molecules is crucial for developing safer and more effective cancer treatments.
• Future research should focus on leveraging these scaffolds to create drugs that combat resistance and reduce toxicity.