Molecular hybridization (MH) is a strategy of rational design of such ligands
or prototypes based on the recognition of pharmacophoric sub-units in the molecular
structure of two or more known bioactive derivatives which, through the adequate
fusion of these sub-units, lead to the design of new hybrid architectures that maintain
pre-selected characteristics of the original templates .The concept of molecular
hybridization and the promises/challenges associated with these hybrid molecules
along with recent advances in anticancer hybrids and critical discussions on the future
aspects of the hybrid drugs have already been presented through number of reports.
However, this chapter presents the structures of potent hybrids reported during the last
two decades along with a detailed account of the patent literature from the year 1990 to
2014. Significant number of patents on the molecules designed through this valuable
drug design technique clearly highlight the present focus of the researchers all around
the globe towards hybrid molecules capable of amplifying the effect of individual
functionalities through action on another bio target or to interact with multiple targets
as one single molecule lowering the risk of drug-drug interactions and minimizing the
drug resistance.
Keywords: Activity, anticancer, chalcone, colchicine, combretasatin, coumarin,
design, drug, hybrids, isatin, microtubule, molecules, patent, peptide, phenstatin,
resistance, steroid, taxol, tubulin, vinca alkaloids.
