Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog that has been used widely as an anticancer drug for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including ovarian, bladder, non-small-cell lung, pancreatic, and breast cancer. However, enzymatic deamination, fast systemic clearance, and the emergence of chemoresistance have limited its efficacy. Different prodrug strategies have been explored in recent years, seeking to obtain better pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and safety. Different drug delivery strategies have also been employed, seeking to transform gemcitabine into a targeted medicine. This review will provide an overview of the recent developments in gemcitabine prodrugs and their effectiveness in treating cancerous tumors.
Keywords: anticancer agent; chemotherapy; drug delivery; gemcitabine; prodrug.