title: An overview of molecular hybrids in drug discovery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hybridization of biologically active molecules is a powerful tool for drug discovery used to target a variety of diseases. It offers the prospect of better drugs for the treatment of a number of illnesses including cancer, malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Hybrid drugs can provide combination therapies in a single multi-functional agent and, by doing so, be more specific and powerful than conventional classic treatments. This research field is in great expansion and attracts many researchers worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review covers the main research published between early 2013 to mid-2015 and takes into account several previous reviews on the subject. Its intention is to showcase the most recent advances reported towards the development of molecular hybrids in drug discovery. Particular attention is given to anticancer hybrids throughout the review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current advances show that molecular hybrids of biologically active molecules can lead to powerful therapeutics. Natural products play a key role in this field. It is also believed that toxin hybrids present a great opportunity for future progress and should be further explored. Furthermore, the synthesis of hybrid organometallics should be systematically studied as it can lead to potent drugs. The crucial requirement for growth still remains the efficacy of synthesis. Hence, the development of efficient synthetic methods allowing rapid access to diverse series of hybrids must be further investigated by researchers.
authors.affiliation: a Département de Chimie, Biochimie et Physique , Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Gervais
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bérubé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D009942:Organometallic Compounds
keywords: Drug design; anticancer agents; drug-targeting; molecular hybrids