Review: Methods of synthesis of erlotinib and its derivatives as tyrosine kinase inhibitor in 2020-2025
Authors
This review focuses on the most important synthetic approaches to produce erlotinib and its derivatives, shows changes in their structure that minimized toxicity, surpassed resistance mechanisms, increased selectivity and improved therapeutic efficacy, The latest applications of green and medicinal chemistry and recent developments are covered. Erlotinib, a type of targeted cancer drug has been widely studied and modified over the past five years., it has already available in US, EU, Japan and other 100 countries worldwide since approved for medical use in 2004. Erlotinib is a first-generation inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. It is cleared to treat non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and a few other cancer. Its brand name is usually Tarceva. The presented review contains the following issue: summary of references concerning the synthesis methods, structure-activity correlation ship (SAR) or biological parameters related to erlotinib family analogues (from 2020 to 2025).
Keywords:
Erlotinib, EGFR, Synthesis methods , Tyrosine kinase inhibitors[1] Kumar, R., Goel, H., Solanki, R., Rawat, L., Tabasum, S., Tanwar, P., Pal, S., & Sabarwal, A. (2024). Recent developments in receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A promising mainstay in targeted cancer therapy. Medicine in Drug Discovery, 23, 100195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medidd.2024.100195
[2] Huang, L., Jiang, S., & Shi, Y. (2020). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors for solid tumors in the past 20 years (2001–2020). Journal of Hematology & Oncology, 13(1), 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-020-00977-0
[3] Chhikara, B. S., Ashraf, S., Mozaffari, S., St Jeans, N., Mandal, D., Tiwari, R. K., Ul-Haq, Z., & Parang, K. (2020). Phenylpyrazalopyrimidines as tyrosine kinase inhibitors: synthesis, antiproliferative activity, and molecular simulations. Molecules, 25(9), 2135. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092135
[4] Kalinichenko, E., Faryna, A., Bozhok, T., Golyakovich, A., & Panibrat, A. (2023). Novel PhThalic-Based Anticancer Tyrosine kinase Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis and Biological Activity. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 45(3), 1820–1842. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45030117
[5] Pottier, C., Fresnais, M., Gilon, M., Jérusalem, G., Longuespée, R., & Sounni, N. E. (2020). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer: breakthrough and challenges of targeted therapy. Cancers, 12(3), 731. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12030731
[6] Wang, J., Wang, J., & Chen, J. (2025). Precision navigation through the labyrinth: overcoming EGFR resistance in non-Small cell lung cancer. Annals of Medicine, 57(1), 2574526. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2025.2574526
[7] Shaban, N., Kamashev, D., Emelianova, A., & Buzdin, A. (2023). Targeted inhibitors of EGFR: structure, biology, biomarkers, and clinical applications. Cells, 13(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13010047
[8] Thomson, R., Moshirfar, M., Ronquillo, Y. (2025). Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. [Updated 2023 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563322/
[9] Schröder, M., Bullock, A. N., Fedorov, O., Bracher, F., Chaikuad, A., & Knapp, S. (2020). DFG-1 residue controls inhibitor binding mode and affinity, providing a basis for rational design of kinase inhibitor selectivity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 63(18), 10224–10234. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00898
[10] Gvozdeva, Y. (2025). Nanotechnology-Based Delivery Systems for Enhanced targeting of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Exploring inorganic and organic nanoparticles as targeted carriers. Kinases and Phosphatases, 3(2), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/kinasesphosphatases3020009
[11] Runzer-Colmenares, F. M., Ruiz, R., Maco, L., Maldonado, M., Puma-Villanueva, L., Galvez-Nino, M., Aliaga, C., Benites-Zapata, V. A., Diaz-Arocutipa, C., Mas, L., & Urrunaga-Pastor, D. (2025). Comparison of Erlotinib vs. Osimertinib for Advanced or Metastatic EGFR Mutation-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Without Prior Treatment: A Network Meta-Analysis. Cancers, 17(11), 1895. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17111895
[12] Al-Karmalawy, A. A., Eissa, M. E., Ashour, N. A., Yousef, T. A., Khatib, A. O. A., & Hawas, S. S. (2025). Medicinal chemistry perspectives on anticancer drug design based on clinical applications (2015–2025). RSC Advances, 15(43), 36441–36471. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra05472a
[13] Azimian, F., & Dastmalchi, S. (2022). Recent advances in structural modification Strategies for LeadOptimization of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to explore NovelAnticancer Agents. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 30(24), 2734–2761. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867329666220920092908
[14] An, Q., Huang, L., Wang, C., Wang, D., & Tu, Y. (2025). New strategies to enhance the efficiency and precision of drug discovery. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1550158. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1550158
[15] Chetry, A. B., & Ohto, K. (2025). From molecules to data: the emerging impact of chemoinformatics in chemistry. Journal of Cheminformatics, 17(1), 121. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13321-025-00978-6
[16] Șandor, A., Ionuț, I., Marc, G., Oniga, I., Eniu, D., & Oniga, O. (2023). Structure–Activity relationship studies based on quinazoline derivatives as EGFR kinase inhibitors (2017–Present). Pharmaceuticals, 16(4), 534. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040534
[17] Ban, H. S., Tanaka, Y., Nabeyama, W., Hatori, M., & Nakamura, H. (2009). Enhancement of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition by C–C multiple bonds-containing anilinoquinazolines. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 18(2), 870–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2009.11.035
[18] Gupta, S., Misra, G., Pant, M. C., & Seth, P. K. (2012). Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor: Exploring the potential of novel inhibitor N-(3-Ethynylphenyl)-6, 7-bis (2-methoxyethoxy) quinolin- 4-Amine using docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Protein and Peptide Letters, 19(9), 955–968. https://doi.org/10.2174/092986612802084456
[19] Klimoszek, D., Jeleń, M., Dołowy, M., & Morak-Młodawska, B. (2024). Study of the Lipophilicity and ADMET Parameters of New Anticancer Diquinothiazines with Pharmacophore Substituents. Pharmaceuticals, 17(6), 725. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060725
[20] Zayed, M. F. (2023). Medicinal chemistry of quinazolines as anticancer agents targeting tyrosine kinases. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 91(2), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm91020018
[21] Mansour, M., Abbas, S., AboulMagd, A., Abdel-Rahman, H., & Osman, M. (2023). The significance of quinazoline derivatives as potential multi-target anti-cancer agents: review article. Journal of Advanced Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 0(0), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.21608/jabps.2023.234736.1203
[22] Azmian, M., Fatemeh, K. (2022). Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Docking Study of Novel 4-Anilinoquinazolines Derivatives as Anticancer Agents. Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. 41(2).
[23] Felts, A., Saleh S.A., Le, U., Rodriguez, A.L., Weaver, C.D., Conn, P.J., Lindsley, C.W., Emmitte, K.A. (2009). Discovery and SAR of 6-substituted-4-anilinoquinazolines as non-competitive antagonists of mGlu5. Bioorg Med Chem Lett.1;19(23):6623-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.10.024
[24] Anwar, S., Alanazi, J., Ahemad, N., Raza, S., Chohan, T.A., Saleem, H. (2024). Deciphering quinazoline derivatives' interactions with EGFR: a computational quest for advanced cancer therapy through 3D-QSAR, virtual screening, and MD simulations. Front Pharmacol. 15:1399372. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1399372. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1399372
[25] Dai, T.V., Thanh, L.T., Long, P.Q., Thuy, T.T.T. (2015)."PREPARATION OF ERLOTINIB HYDROCHLORIDE", Vietnam J. Sci. Technol. 53(6): 789.
[26] Barghi, L., Aghanejad, A., Valizadeh, H., Barar, J., & Asgari, D. (2012). Modified synthesis of erlotinib hydrochloride. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin, 2(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.5681/apb.2012.017
[27] Jin, H., Cai, Q., Liu, P., Chen, Y., Wang, D., Zhu, W., Xu, Y., & Qian, X. (2023). Multistep continuous flow synthesis of Erlotinib. Chinese Chemical Letters, 35(4), 108721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108721
[28] Karunakara, A. C., Aparna, U., Kush, A., & Reddy, G. C. (2013). DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF INTERMEDIATES FORMED DURING THE SYNTHESIS OF ERLOTINIB VIA QUINAZOLINE-THIONE ROUTE USING HPLC. Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies, 36(18), 2547–2558. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826076.2012.723089
[29] Wang, L., Hou, X., Huang, M., He, B., Mao, L., Hu, Z., Li, L., Guo, J., & Peng, L. (2025). Design, synthesis and anti-cancer activity of novel 1,2,3-triazole hybrids of erlotinib against cervical cancer via MAPK signaling pathway. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 24582. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09168-8
[30] Mao, L., Wang, Z., Wu, Q., Chen, X., Yang, J., Wang, X., & Li, Y. (2022). Design, synthesis, and antitumor activity of erlotinib derivatives. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 849364. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.849364
[31] Deng, P., Sun, G., Zhao, J., Yao, K., Yuan, M., Peng, L., & Mao, L. (2022). Synthesis and antitumor activity of erlotinib derivatives linked with 1,2,3-Triazole. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 793905. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.793905
[32] Cui, Q., Song, P., Ma, T., Wang, Z., Lu, X., Shi, Y., Zhang, F., Lin, G., Dong, J., & Zhang, J. (2022). Discovery of a novel potent antitumor molecule, P19G1, by Erlotinib derivative libraries synthesized by modular Click-Chemistry. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment, 21, 15330338221109649. https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338221109649
[33] Xu, G., Gong, X., Zhu, Y., Yao, X., Peng, L., Sun, G., Yang, J., & Mao, L. (2022). Novel 1,2,3-Triazole erlotinib derivatives as potent IDO1 inhibitors: Design, Drug-Target Interactions prediction, Synthesis, biological Evaluation, Molecular docking and ADME Properties studies. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 854965. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.854965
[34] Hou, X., Gong, X., Mao, L., Sun, G., & Yang, J. (2022). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of erlotinib-based IDO1 inhibitors. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 940704. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.940704
[35] Sun, L., Feng, R., Zhen, Y., Hou, Z., Li, X., Shan, L., & Gao, F. (2022). Exploration of anti-tumor activity of erlotinib derivatives enabled by a Pd-catalyzed late-stage Sonogashira reaction. Tetrahedron, 132, 133237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2022.133237
[36] Wu, W., Luo, C., Zhu, C., Cai, Z., & Liu, J. (2024). A Novel Boron Dipyrromethene-Erlotinib Conjugate for Precise Photodynamic Therapy against Liver Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(12), 6421. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126421
[37] Zhou, Y., Wu, T., Sun, J., Bi, H., Xiao, Y., Shao, Y., Han, W., & Wang, H. (2024). Deciphering the Dynamics of EGFR-TKI Resistance in Lung Cancer: Insights from Bibliometric Analysis. Drug Design Development and Therapy, Volume 18, 4327–4343. https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s478910
[38] Wang, J., Wang, J., & Chen, J. (2025b). Precision navigation through the labyrinth: overcoming EGFR resistance in non-Small cell lung cancer. Annals of Medicine, 57(1), 2574526. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2025.2574526
[39] Romaniello, D., Morselli, A., & Marrocco, I. (2025). Strategies to overcome resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-Mutated lung Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(7), 2957. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26072957
[40] Cooper, A. J., Sequist, L. V., & Lin, J. J. (n.d.). Third-generation EGFR and ALK inhibitors: mechanisms of resistance and management. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 19(8), 499–514. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-022-00639-9
[41] Li, J., Gong, C., Zhou, H., Liu, J., Xia, X., Ha, W., Jiang, Y., Liu, Q., & Xiong, H. (2024). Kinase Inhibitors and Kinase-Targeted Cancer Therapies: Recent advances and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(10), 5489. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105489
[42] Su, C., & Sun, S. (2024). Fourth-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinases inhibitors: hope and challenges. Translational Cancer Research, 13(8), 3929–3934. https://doi.org/10.21037/tcr-24-406
[43] Pahwa, R., Saini, S., Chhabra, J., Goyal, R., Kumar, S., Awasthi, R., & Dureja, H. (2024). Harnessing nanotechnology for enhanced delivery of erlotinib: a dynamic duo in cancer treatment. Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43088-024-00528-3
[44] Păduraru, L., Panainte, A., Peptu, C., Apostu, M., Vieriu, M., Bibire, T., Sava, A., & Bibire, N. (2025). Smart drug delivery systems based on cyclodextrins and chitosan for cancer therapy. Pharmaceuticals, 18(4), 564. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18040564
[45] Islam, M. S., Hasan, M. R., Mostakim, K., Joarder, M. S. A., Hasan, M. H., & Ahmed, M. R. (2025). E-waste management in Bangladesh: Environmental impacts, health risks, and sustainable policy strategies. Cleaner Waste Systems, 11, 100297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100297
[46] Stefanache, A., Marcinschi, A., Marin, G., Mitran, A., Lungu, I. I., Miftode, A. M., Crivoi, F., Lacatusu, D., Baican, M., Cioanca, O., & Hancianu, M. (2025). Green Chemistry Approaches in Pharmaceutical Synthesis: Sustainable Methods for drug development. AppliedChem, 5(2), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/appliedchem5020013
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal Port Science Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
- Published: 2026-01-01
- Issue: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): First Issue
- Section: Articles


