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Repurposing of drugs as STAT3 inhibitors for cancer therapy

Pathum S Thilakasiri1, Rhynelle S Dmello1, Tracy L Nero2

  • 1Cancer and Inflammation Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Vic., Australia.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|November 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Drug repurposing offers a fast track for new cancer treatments. This review explores using existing drugs to target Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) for improved cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling is crucial in cancer progression.
  • STAT3 activation in tumor cells and the microenvironment drives disease.
  • STAT3 inhibitors are under investigation for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of STAT3 in cancer.
  • To discuss direct STAT3 inhibitors.
  • To explore drug repurposing strategies for STAT3 inhibition in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of STAT3 inhibitors.
  • Analysis of drug repurposing for STAT3 targets.
  • Discussion of STAT3 activation mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • STAT3 plays a significant role in various cancers.
  • Numerous direct STAT3 inhibitors are in development.
  • Drug repurposing presents a viable strategy for novel STAT3 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • STAT3 is a key therapeutic target in oncology.
  • Further research into STAT3 mechanisms and drug repurposing is needed.
  • Repurposed drugs could accelerate the development of novel cancer treatments.
Keywords:
BazedoxifeneCancerDrug repurposingIL11IL6Interleukin 11Interleukin 6STAT3STAT3 inhibitorsSmall molecule inhibitorsgp130

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