Nicotinamide Derivatives: Synthetic Strategies and their Emerging Role in Anticancer Therapy

Abstract: Nicotinamide-containing heterocycles are gaining increasing interest in medicinal chemistry due to their potential applications in cancer drug development. Their structural characteristics significantly influence both biological activity and therapeutic efficacy. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advancements in the synthesis of nicotinamide derivatives and to evaluate their reported anticancer activities against various cancer types. Different synthesis methods for nicotinamide-based compounds were compiled and described, together with data on their anticancer efficacy and mechanisms of action, by analysing pertinent literature. Various chemical methods have been employed to synthesize a wide range of nicotinamide derivatives. These compounds exhibit significant cytotoxicity against breast, lung, colon, and rectal cancer cell lines. Documented mechanisms of action include the induction of apoptosis and enzyme inhibition. Due to its structural versatility, the nicotinamide moiety serves as a valuable scaffold for the development of anticancer drugs. Nicotinamide derivatives are a promising family of compounds with strong anticancer potential. Their usefulness in creating tailored cancer treatments is highlighted by their effective synthetic accessibility and proven biological activity. This review encourages more research on nicotinamide scaffolds in the search for anticancer drugs.