Isatin-azole hybrids and their anticancer activities

Isatin and azole moieties, which have the ability to form various noncovalent interactions with different therapeutic targets, are common pharmacophores in drug development. Isatin and azole derivatives possess promising in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity, and many of them, such as semaxanib, sunitinib, and carboxyamidotriazole, could be used to treat various cancers. Thus, it is conceivable that hybridization of the isatin moiety with azole may provide a valuable therapeutic intervention for the treatment of cancer. Substantial efforts have been made to develop isatin-azole hybrids as novel anticancer agents, and some of the isatin-azole hybrids exhibited considerable activity. This review emphasizes isatin-azole hybrids with potential anticancer activity, covering articles published between 2010 and 2019. The structure-activity relationships as well as the mechanisms of action are also discussed to provide insights for the rational design of more effective candidates.