Development of new thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as dual EGFR and STAT3 inhibitors endowed with anticancer and pro-apoptotic activities

•Fifteennovel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines “5a-o” were designed and synthesized.•5j and 5kshowed potent efficacy towards A549 and MCF7 cell lines.•5j and 5kshowed dual EGFR and STAT3 inhibition with safe borderline on WI-38.•5j and 5kwere subjected to apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, Casp-8, and Casp-9).•Molecular docking and dynamic simulation towards EGFR and STAT3 were performed.