CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS TARGETING LUNG, PANCREATIC, AND COLORECTAL CANCERS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Due to high incidence, aggressive progression, and limited therapeutic efficacy, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer represent a significant share of cancer-related deaths. Cancer remains a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Despite considerable progress in traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, challenges like drug resistance, systemic toxicity, tumor heterogeneity, and recurrence continue to hinder long-term success. Therefore, the identification, study, and creation of new chemical compounds have become a promising approach to improving cancer treatment outcomes. By integrating current knowledge on chemical compound development and mechanistic insights across these three major cancer types, this review identifies existing research gaps, summarizes recent therapeutic advances, and outlines future directions for the rational design of safer and more effective anticancer agents. The findings presented herein are expected to support researchers and clinicians in advancing precision oncology and developing next-generation therapeutics for improved patient outcomes. With cancer being the rising cause of morbidity and mortality in the world today challenges the global health systems. Cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages and possesses poor prognosis due to cancer having high metastatic potential and limited response to treatment therapies. The process of oncology despite extensive advancement such as chemotherapy regimens faces issues of drug resistance, systemic toxicity and lack of ability to detect tumor specificity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the development of chemical compounds targeting lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. It discusses the structural diversity, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms of natural products, synthetic molecules, and semisynthetic derivatives with demonstrated anticancer potential. Particular emphasis is placed on their interactions with key signaling pathways involved in tumor initiation and progression.                   Peer Review History: Received 7 April 2026;   Reviewed 11 May 2026; Accepted  9 June; Available online 15 July 2026 Academic Editor: Prof. Cyprian Ogbonna ONYEJI, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, conyeji@oauife.edu.ng Reviewers: Dr. Fátima Morales Marín, University of Murcia, Spain, fatima.morales@um.es Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com