Current progress in synthetic and medicinal chemistry of pyrazole hybrids as potent anticancer agents with SAR studies

Abstract Background One of the most serious and potentially hazardous diseases that trouble the globe today is cancer. Among various cancer treatment options, chemotherapy is currently one of the most efficient ways to remove cancer. Heterocycles play a pivotal role in development of efficient anticancer agents. Pyrazole scaffolds have made a substantial contribution to the development of anticancer medications through encouraging ability to combat cancer of synthetic derivatives. Aim and objectives There is a discussion of the synthetic developments of analogues with pyrazole motifs and the related anticancer potential that has been demonstrated by in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods. Numerous research publications have documented a complete correlation between the design and synthesis of pyrazole-based anticancer compounds. With the following goals in mind, this research aims to explain significant recent advancements in the synthetic and medicinal chemistry of pyrazole-based compounds over the past four to 5 years: (1) highlighting new findings on the anticancer effects of pyrazole derivatives; (2) reviewing the most recent developments in pyrazole derivative synthesis and their biological importance in the fight against cancer; and (3) talking about structure activity relationship (SAR) studies of pyrazole-based compounds to treat various types of cancer. Short conclusion There are numerous applications of pyrazole ranging from both synthetic and natural derivatives with potent anticancer effects. Safer chemotherapeutic lead molecules with greater potency and lower cytotoxicity can prevent adverse effects on ordinary cells caused due to nonselective inhibitory action against the target cell or receptor and also diminish the growth of drug resistance. This review provides insights into the synthesis and design of compounds based on pyrazoles that show interest as anticancer agents. Graphical abstract