Cocrystals and Drug–Drug Cocrystals of Anticancer Drugs: A Perception towards Screening Techniques, Preparation, and Enhancement of Drug Properties

Abstract

The most favored approach for drug administration is the oral route. Several anticancer drugs come under this category and mostly lack solubility and oral bioavailability, which are the most common causes of inadequate clinical efficiency. Enhancing oral absorption of anticancer drugs with low aqueous solubility and drug impermeability is currently an effective area of research. Many scientists have looked into pharmaceutical cocrystals as a way to improve the physicochemical properties of several anticancer drugs. Benefits of pharmaceutical cocrystals over other solid forms may include improved solubility, bioavailability, and a reduced susceptibility for phase transition. Cocrystal strategy also stands as a green synthesis tool by using very limited organic solvents during its formulation. Having so many advantages, to date, the reported cocrystals and drug–drug cocrystals of anticancer drugs are limited. Here we review the pharmaceutical cocrystals and drug–drug cocrystals of the anticancer drugs reported in the last decade and their future in imaging, and also shed light on the opportunities and challenges for the development of anticancer drug cocrystals.

Keywords

• pharmaceutical cocrystals
• drug–drug cocrystals
• anti-cancer
• solubility enhancement
• oral bioavailability enhancement
• saturation solubility