Compound 11b, a dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitor, showed the highest potency with IC₅₀ values of 26.38 nM and 114.17 nM, respectively, and induced apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells.
Compound 11b emerged as a promising dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitor with potent broad-spectrum anticancer activity and NO-releasing properties in vitro.
Abstract A novel series of pyrazole–1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids incorporating chalcone/oxime scaffolds ( 10a –10 c , 11a –11 c , 12a –12 i , 13a –13 i , and 14a – 14i ) was synthesized and subjected to an detailed cytotoxicity profile against the NCI-60 human cancer cell line panel. Several derivatives demonstrated broad-spectrum growth inhibition, with compounds 10b , 11a , and 11b emerging as the most active candidates, exhibiting mean GI₅₀ values in the low micromolar range (4.36–16.4 µM). A deeper biological assessment revealed that these hybrids act as dual inhibitors of EGFR and VEGFR-2, with compound 11b showing the highest potency (IC₅₀ = 26.38 nM and 114.17 nM, respectively). Mechanistic studies further confirmed that 11b induced G2/M phase arrest and triggered apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells. The oxime-containing analogs exhibited enhanced nitric oxide (NO) release, a property associated with modulation of angiogenesis and increased susceptibility of cancer cells to apoptosis, contributing to their observed anticancer activity. Molecular docking and structure–activity relationship analysis clarified the binding interactions and substitution patterns governing activity, and both cytotoxicity and mechanistic analyses converged on compound 11b as the most promising lead of the series.
Alshazly et al. (2026) studied this question. Compound 11b, a dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitor, showed the highest potency with IC₅₀ values of 26.38 nM and 114.17 nM, respectively, and induced apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells.