Anticancer Properties of Imidazolium Salt Derivatives: Current Advances and Therapeutic Perspectives

Abstract

Simple Summary Imidazolium salt derivatives are a diverse group of compounds that have attracted increasing interest as potential anticancer agents because their chemical structure can be readily modified to improve biological activity. Experimental studies have shown that many of these compounds inhibit cancer cell growth through multiple mechanisms, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis induction. Examples of compounds investigated in this context include metal–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and hybrid derivatives containing biologically active molecules such as lithocholic acid. However, despite encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo findings, most imidazolium salt derivatives remain at the preclinical stage of development. Further studies are needed to evaluate their safety, pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic efficacy before their potential clinical application can be established. This review summarizes current advances, highlights structure–activity relationships, and discusses the main challenges that must be addressed to facilitate the future development of imidazolium-based anticancer therapies.