Recent Strategies in Design of Antitumor and Antibacterial Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones are known widely used synthetic antibacterial agents. Generally, there were some obstacles associated with their therapeutic use. Moreover, many research studies all over the world proved the variable biological effects of fluoroquinolones such as antituberculosis, anticancer, or even antiviral activities. The current review is focused on modifications that occurred in the fluoroquinolone scaffold for their repositioning from antibacterial into anticancer agents especially modifications at C-7 or at the carboxylic C-3 groups. In addition, it includes the recent research studies carried out to improve the potency, spectrum of activity, or pharmacokinetics of antibacterial fluoroquinolones. Hence, this review may be useful for researchers in the design and synthesis of new fluoroquinolones with improved biological activities.