Cell experiment:

Proliferating cells in 6- or 96-well plates are treated once with 0-30 μM BP-1-102 for 24 h or with 10 μM BP-1-102 for up to 96 h. Viable cells are counted by trypan blue exclusion/phase-contrast microscopy or assessed by a cell proliferation kit[1].

Animal experiment:

Mice: Athymic nude mice with established tumors are grouped and then given BP-1-102 (in 0.05% DMSO in water) at 1 or 3mg/kg (i.v.) every 2 or every 3 d or 3 mg/kg (oral gavage, 100 μL) every day for 15 or 20 d. Animals are monitored every day, and tumor sizes are measured with calipers and body weights are taken every 2 or 3 d. For each treatment group, the tumor volumes for each set of measurements are statistically analyzed in comparison with the control group using a paired T test[1].

BP-1-102 is an orally available, small-molecule inhibitor of transcription factor Stat3, with an IC50 of 6.8 μM.

BP-1-102 binds Stat3 with an affinity KD of 504 nM. BP-1-102 inhibits Stat3 DNA-binding activity in vitro, with an IC50 value of 6.8±0.8 μM. It blocks Stat3-phospho-tyrosine peptide interactions and Stat3 activation at 4-6.8 μM, and selectively inhibits growth, survival, migration, and invasion of Stat3-dependent tumor cells. BP-1-102-mediated inhibition of aberrantly active Stat3 in tumor cells suppresses the expression of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Bcl-xL, Survivin, VEGF, and Krüppel-like factor 8[1].

Mice therapeutically given BP-1-102, an orally bioavailable compound targeting STAT3/NF-kB activation and cross-talk, exhibit reduced colon tumorigenesis and diminished expression of STAT3/NF-kB-activating cytokines in the neoplastic areas[2]. BP-1-102 is orally bioavailable and that the agent accumulates in tumor tissues at levels sufficient to inhibit aberrantly active Stat3 functions and inhibit tumor growth[1].

[1]. Zhang X, et al. Orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of transcription factor Stat3 regresses human breast and lung cancer xenografts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 12;109(24):9623-8. [2]. De Simone V, et al. Th17-type cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α synergistically activate STAT3 and NF-kB to promote colorectal cancer cell growth. Oncogene. 2015 Jul;34(27):3493-503.