New 1
H
-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesised to act as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs). The synthesised derivatives were assessed for their
in vitro
anti-proliferative activities against A549 and HCT-116 cancer cells. Compounds
8, 10, 12a,
and
12b
showed potent anti-proliferative activities. Compound
12b
was the most promising member with IC
50
values of 8.21 and 19.56 µM against A549 and HCT-116, respectively. Compounds
8, 10, 12a,
and
12b
were evaluated for their kinase inhibitory activities against wild EGFR (EGFR
WT
). Compound
12b
was the most potent member showing an IC
50
value of 0.016 µM. In addition, compound
12b
showed noticeable activity against mutant EGFR (EGFR
T790M
) (IC
50
= 0.236 µM). Flow cytometric analyses revealed that compound
12b
is a good apoptotic inducer and can arrest the cell cycle at S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, it produced an 8.8-fold increase in BAX/Bcl-2 ratio. Molecular docking studies were carried out against EGFR
WT
and EGFR
T790M
.
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