The versatile NDI-based compounds: emerging anticancer and antimicrobial agents

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical nucleic acid structures present in guanine-rich sequences, notably within cancer-associated genomic areas like telomeres and oncogene promoters. Naphthalene diimide derivatives have emerged as promising G4-binding molecules due to their versatility and high affinity towards these structures. This review focuses on the recent advances in exploiting naphthalene diimides as G4 ligands, particularly emphasizing their effectiveness in targeting G4s at telomeres and oncogene promoters, potentially for anticancer purposes. Here, the complexities of G4 ligand characteristics, structure-activity relationships and the challenges in targeting G4 structures are explored, providing insights for the development of potent G4-targeting therapeutics. Their role as antimicrobial agents is also discussed.