Synthesis of Anticancer Compounds
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 150
Special Issue Editor
Interests: metal-catalyzed reactions (cross-couplings, C-H activation, and carbonylations); nucleophilic aromatic substitution; heterocycles of N and/or S; antitumoral compounds
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The synthesis of new anti-cancer compounds, specially heterocyclic ones, involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining principles from organic chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology. The process often begins with lead identification, where potential compounds with anti-cancer properties are identified through various screening methods such as high-throughput screening, virtual screening using computational tools, or by synthesizing scaffold derivatives present in active anti-cancer compounds. Medicinal chemists optimize their structures through organic synthesis techniques to improve its potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Currently, green methodologies and late stage functionalization C-H activation reactions are very important, the latter constituting atom and step economy methods.
For targeted therapies using small molecules, particularly heterocycles, the synthesis focuses on compounds that specifically target key molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. This may involve rational drug design based on structural biology insights.
Traditional chemotherapy agents are synthesized to produce compounds that target rapidly dividing cancer cells. These compounds may act through various mechanisms, such as DNA intercalation, inhibition of microtubule function, or disruption of metabolic pathways. In addition to the synthesis of active compounds, innovative drug delivery systems are being developed to improve the compounds’ efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.
Nanoparticles, liposomes, and polymer-based carriers are prepared to encapsulate and deliver the anti-cancer compound to the tumor site. The synthesized compounds undergo extensive preclinical evaluation to assess their safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties. This includes in vitro studies using cancer cell lines and in vivo studies using animal models of cancer.
Researchers in the field are cordially invited to submit relevant manuscripts to the Synthesis of Anti-cancer compounds within the journal Molecules.
Prof. Dr. Maria João Queiroz
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- design
- synthesis
- heterocycles
- anti-cancer compounds
- anti-tumor evaluation
- drug delivery systems
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