Synthesis of Anticancer Compounds

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

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• design
• synthesis
• heterocycles
• anti-cancer compounds
• anti-tumor evaluation
• drug delivery systems