Optimization of 6,7-disubstituted-4-(arylamino)quinoline-3-carbonitriles as orally active, irreversible inhibitors of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 kinase activity.

A series of new 6,7-disubstituted-4-(arylamino)quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives that function as irreversible inhibitors of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinases have been prepared. These compounds demonstrated enhanced activities for inhibiting HER-2 kinase and the growth of HER-2 positive cells compared to our EGFR kinase inhibitor 86 (EKB-569). Three synthetic routes were used to prepare these compounds.