Background: The heterocyclic compounds particularly pyridine displayed clinical and biological implementation. Pyridine scaffolds have been detected in most relevant drug molecules that included pyridine provided a great possibility for treatment. Main text: Pyridine-containing compounds have increasing importance for medicinal application as antiviral, anticholinesterase activities, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anticancer. This has generated concern among researchers in synthesising a variety of pyridine derivatives. Conclusion: This review focuses on different pyridine targets as anticancer and their pharmacophoric elements controlling its activity.