Melphalan: Recent insights on synthetic, analytical and medicinal aspects

Cancer is an uncontrolled expansion of atypical cells in the body. These unusual cells are labelled as cancerous or malignant cells. Melphalan, an anticancer drug which is imperatively recognized under the class of alkylating agents. It exhibits broad spectrum antitumor activity, as observed in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, etc. However, it is mainly utilized in the management of multiple myeloma. Several studies across the globe suggest that resistance to melphalan is the major concern that leads to relapsed myeloma. In the present paper, several pivotal approaches to compensate resistance associated with melphalan have been discussed. Numerous chemical and formulation developments concerning melphalan to enhance its salient characteristics and targeted profile have also been portrayed. The rationale of the current article also summarizes the recent analytical methods, structure-activity relationship, pharmacokinetics, interactions, potential adverse effects along with medicinal updates of melphalan. Special attention is also laid on their synthetic developments viz. melphalan derivatives, conjugates and prodrugs along with encouraging insights and research findings.