Quinazoline is a potential class in the design of synthetic anti-cancer
drugs according to the kinase enzyme inhibition mechanism [1-4]. Gefitinib
(Iressa), erlotinib (Tarceva), lapatinib (Tykerb) and vandetanib (Caprelsa)
are typical quinazoline compounds that have been introduced into the
production of cancer drugs. Among them Gefitinib and Erlotinib are the first
epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) chemotherapy drugs used to treat
non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinb is a derivative of quinazoline with the
trade name Tarceva, produced by Hoffmann pharmaceutical company – La
Roche. The drug is highly effective for the treatment of non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR activating mutation. This is a breakthrough
method in treating NSCLC that creates an opportunity to prolong life time
with higher quality of life. In Vietnam, erlotinib hydrochloride Tarceva drug
has not been widely used; first of all because the cost of treatment with
Tarceva is very high, 2,000 USD per treatment cycle (one cycle = 1 month), price
in Vietnam market is about 42 million VND per bottle of 30 150mg tablets.
Therefore, the thesis “Research on synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxic
activity of quinazoline compounds” is a scientifically and practically
significant research direction.