Synthesis and evaluation of tumor cell growth inhibition of methyl 3-amino-6-[(hetero)arylethynyl]thieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates. Structure-activity relationships, effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis

► Synthesis of methyl 3-amino-6-[(hetero)arylethynyl]thieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates by Sonogashira coupling. ► Evaluation of the growth inhibitory activity of the compounds in human tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, A375-C5). ► Structure-activity relationships. ► Studies of the cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis for the most promising compounds.