Thiazole derivatives in cancer therapy: mechanistic insights, bioactivity, and future perspective

Globally, cancer is the primary cause of both mortality and morbidity. Many researchers are working to create new anticancer drugs that are less harmful and more effective. A thiazole scaffold is a great option for developing compounds that interact with cancer target locations and block the biological pathways causing the disease to spread. The current state of thiazole-based anticancer medicines is highlighted in this review, along with recent research findings. The thiazole moiety is an eccentric building block for creating anticancer medications. Thiazole derivatives have a great pharmacological profile that targets a variety of proteins and enzymes. The thiazoles are highlighted by the nitrogen atom's ability to establish hydrogen bonds with their targets. Thiazole has been shown in numerous clinical trials to be useful in treating cancer by acting through a variety of routes. Research on thiazole derivatives for cancer treatment featuring a superior pharmacokinetic profile is encouraged by the approval of thiazole-based medications for use as chemotherapeutics, such as Dasatinib and Ixazomib. This led to the consideration of thiazole derivatives as anticancer drugs to identify possible derivatives that are currently being investigated. This review covers research on thiazole scaffolds with anti-cancer potential both in vitro and in vivo that was published between 2020 and 2025.