Pyrimidine: A Privileged Scaffold for the Development of Anticancer Agents as Protein Kinase Inhibitors (Recent Update)

Abstract

The pyrimidine nucleus is a fundamental component of human DNA and RNA, as well as the backbone of many therapeutic agents. Its significance in medicinal chemistry is well-established, with pyrimidine derivatives receiving considerable attention due to their potent anticancer properties across various cancer cell lines. Numerous derivatives have been synthesized, drawing structural inspiration from known anticancer agents like dihydropyrimidine compounds, which include the active cores of drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and monastrol, both of which have demonstrated strong anticancer efficacy. Additionally, various pyrimidine derivatives have been developed through different synthetic pathways, exhibiting promising anticancer potential. In response to the growing need for effective cancer treatments, recent efforts have focused on synthesizing and exploring novel pyrimidine derivatives with improved efficacy and specificity. This review aims to highlight the versatility of pyrimidine-based compounds in cancer therapy, emphasizing not only their potency and binding affinity but also their optimal interaction with diverse biological targets. The goal is to facilitate the design of new pyrimidine derivatives with enhanced anticancer potential, providing effective solutions for the treatment of various cancer types.