A novel Quinazoline derivative exerts anti-tumor effects in non-small cell lung cancer through Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition

4-anilinoquinazoline scaffold, a key structure in the development of EGFR-TKI anticancer drugs such as Gefitinib and Erlotinib, continues to drive advancements in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. In this study, we synthesized a series of novel derivatives ( B3–B11 ). Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that electron-donating groups para-substituted at the 4-anilino position significantly enhanced antiproliferative activity. Notably, B10 incorporating an acrylamide group at the 4-anilino position demonstrated the most potent activity against NSCLC, with an IC 50 of 1.28 μM in A549 cells, nearly six times more effective than Gefitinib (7.81 μM). Acute toxicity studies confirmed that B10 is safe at doses below 50 mg/kg. In vivo studies using an A549 xenograft model showed a 46 % tumor growth inhibition (TGI) with B10 (25 mg/kg), surpassing the 21 % inhibition of Gefitinib at the same dose. Mechanistic studies revealed that B10 inhibited the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, downregulating Wnt target genes (c-Myc, c-Jun), and reduced COX2 expression and IL-8 levels, showcasing its dual anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. These results position B10 as a promising NSCLC therapeutic candidate, combining potent efficacy with a favorable safety profile, and enhance our understanding of the SAR and mechanism of action of 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives.