Development of Fused and Substituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents (A Review)

The pyrimidine scaffold is a versatile lead heterocycle in pharmaceutical development. It has diverse chemical reactivity, accessibility and a wide range of biological activities. In the past few years, the pyrimidine derivatives have been developed drastically as potent anticancer agents. This review highlights the current status of pyrimidine molecules in cancer therapy. The in vivo models have been enumerated for the specific types of cancer. The structure – activity relationship (SAR) of fused and substituted pyrimidine derivatives for anticancer activity is discussed. Electron withdrawing groups on aryl moiety attached to both substituted and fused pyrimidine influenced positively, and enhanced potency of novel small molecules as anticancer agents. Electron donating groups reduced the antiproliferative activity. Thus, scientists and researchers of medicinal chemistry discipline could design small molecules with a pyrimidine scaffold possessing more promising anticancer potential.