Discovery of new indole-based tubulin polymerization inhibitors will continue to dominate the synthetic efforts of many medicinal chemists working in the field. The indole ring system is an essential part of several tubulin inhibitors identified in the recent years. The present review article will update the synthesis, anticancer and tubulin inhibition activities of several important new indole classes such as 2-phenylindoles (28, 29 & 30), oxindoles (35 & 38), indole-3-acrylamides (44), indolines (46), aroylindoles (49), carbozoles (75, 76 & 82), azacarbolines (87) and annulated indoles (100-105).
Keywords: anticancer; carboline; colchicine; design; drug; indole; structure–activity relationship; synthesis; tubulin inhibitors.