Indole-fused azepines and analogues as anticancer lead molecules: Privileged findings and future directions

Eur J Med Chem. 2017 Dec 15:142:244-265. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.042. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Abstract

The search for new lead compounds of simple structure, displaying highest quality anti-tumor potency with new mechanisms of action and least adverse effects is the major intention of cancer drug discovery now a days. For the time being, indole-fused azepines emerged as a simple class of compounds prolifically designed with strong pharmacological significances in particular of cancer protecting ability. In the recent years from the efforts of our research group, indole-fused heteroazepines, a simple structural class achieved by fusion of indole with oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen containing heteroazepine rings, have known for its superior outcomes in cancer treatment. Surprisingly, the chemistry and biology of these unique families with an amazing role in cancer drug discovery has remained broadly unexplored. This short review is consequently an endeavor to highlight the preliminary ideas over this structural class and to draw the medical attention towards future development of indole-fused azepines and analogues for their promising function in cancer drug discovery.

Keywords: Azepine; Cancer drug discovery; Design strategy and structure activity relationship; Indole; Indole-fused azepines; Synthetic strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Azepines / chemical synthesis
  • Azepines / chemistry*
  • Azepines / pharmacology*
  • Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / methods
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Azepines
  • Indoles