Targeting EGFR With Indole Derivatives: Recent Advances and Therapeutic Perspectives

Worldwide, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While multiple EGFR inhibitors have emerged, their therapeutic efficacy is constrained by the development of drug resistance and long-term toxicity. Indoles have been identified as one of the promising scaffold classes to compete against EGFR in terms of selectivity and potency. They are favorable for anticancer drug discovery because they are structurally plastic, possess favorable pharmacokinetics, and bind to the ATP-binding pocket of EGFR. Indole derivatives inhibit the auto-phosphorylation of EGFR, thereby exhibiting their activity against cancers by blocking cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. The translation potential of this scaffold is also supported by the clinical success of indole-based EGFR inhibitors, including the third-generation drug osimertinib. Recent advances in molecular docking, structure-activity relationship studies, and hybrid drug design highlight the potential of indole-based scaffolds to address resistance mutations while minimizing side effects. This paper summarizes the relevant literature of indole EGFR inhibitors published between 2021 and 2025, which may include mechanistic insights, biological screening, and therapeutic potential. The indole scaffold can be a useful starting point to push forward the next generation of targeted cancer therapies.