The antitumor promise of furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine: a 2016-2025 review

The furopyrimidine scaffold represents a promising core, integrated into numerous compounds targeting cancer and viral infections. Its appeal derives from efficient, accessible synthetic methods. Furthermore, the fused heterocyclic framework acts as a bio-isostere for purines, facilitating interactions across diverse biological pathways. Herein, we review the latest synthetic strategies for the furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine core over the past decade, alongside their established anticancer potential, including the structure-activity relationship and probable mechanism of action, and how they have advanced to preclinical and early research stages.