PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Zhenfeng Duan AU - James Bradner AU - Edward Greenberg AU - Ralph Mazitschek AU - Rosemary Foster AU - Jennifer Mahoney AU - Michael V. Seiden TI - 8-Benzyl-4-oxo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene-6,7-dicarboxylic Acid (SD-1008), a Novel Janus Kinase 2 Inhibitor, Increases Chemotherapy Sensitivity in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells AID - 10.1124/mol.107.038117 DP - 2007 Nov 01 TA - Molecular Pharmacology PG - 1137--1145 VI - 72 IP - 5 4099 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/72/5/1137.short 4100 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/72/5/1137.full SO - Mol Pharmacol2007 Nov 01; 72 AB - Interleukin 6 and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 proteins have important roles in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Recent studies demonstrate that abnormal STAT3 activation promotes tumor growth and supports survival of many human cancers, and thus, this protein or the pathway responsible for its activation is a potential target for the new anticancer therapy. STAT3 is a DNA binding transcription factor, and therefore, its function depends on nuclear translocation. To discover inhibitors of the STAT3 pathway, we designed a cell-based screening assay capable of identifying small molecules that inhibit nuclear translocation. Among the 2000-compound National Cancer Institute Diversity set, we identified 8-benzyl-4-oxo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene-6,7-dicarboxylic acid (SD-1008) as a micromolar inhibitor of interleukin-6 or oncostatin-induced STAT3 nuclear translocation. In addition, SD-1008 inhibits tyrosyl phosphorylation of STAT3, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and Src. SD-1008 also reduces STAT3-dependent luciferase activity. Biochemical studies with recombinant JAK2 proteins demonstrate that high concentrations of SD-1008 directly inhibit JAK2 kinase autophosphorylation. Exposure of various cell lines to SD-1008 decreases levels of the STAT3-dependent proteins, Bcl-XL and survivin, inducing apoptosis. SD-1008 also enhances apoptosis induced by paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells. These results demonstrate that SD-1008 directly blocks the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway in human cancer cells that express constitutively active Stat and add to the growing literature that identifies this pathway as a viable target for drug development. Finally, SD-1008 may be a suitable prototype for further chemical modification and exploration as a therapeutic agent. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics