Recent updates on novel heterocyclic scaffolds of anticancer potential as emerging tubulin inhibitors

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately one in six deaths. Among the most prevalent cancer types are prostate, lung, colon, and rectal cancers. Despite significant investments in research, the therapeutic success of modern cancer treatments remains limited compared to other life-threatening diseases. In the pursuit of novel anticancer strategies, microtubules—dynamic cytoskeletal structures essential for cellular processes such as mitosis, intracellular transport, and signaling—have emerged as attractive drug targets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the design and synthesis of novel heterocyclic scaffolds as tubulin inhibitors, emphasizing their potential as anticancer agents. Heterocyclic compounds exhibit unique therapeutic properties that disrupt microtubule dynamics, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rapidly proliferating cancer cells. The article systematically classifies and critically evaluates diverse heterocyclic scaffolds, including both natural products and synthetic derivatives, with a focus on their interactions with the microtubule cytoskeleton at a molecular level. By consolidating current insights into these emerging scaffolds, this review serves as a valuable resource for the development of next-generation anticancer therapeutics targeting tubulin.