A Novel Stat3 Inhibitor Has Potent Activity In Preclinical Models Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia That Incorporate The Stromal Environment

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with relapse rates approaching 40% in children. Aberrant activation of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is implicated in promoting many cancer phenotypes, including AML. Additionally, the important role of STAT3 in microenvironment-mediated chemoresistance is well established. Therefore, STAT3 is an important target for the development of new agents. Like other transcription factors, the structure of the STAT3 protein does not easily lend itself to the development of a small molecule inhibitor that is both potent and specific. Several commercially available and academic STAT3 inhibitors have been reported, but none is yet suitable for broad clinical application. We have developed a novel class of naphthalene sulfonamide small molecule STAT3 inhibitors with efficacy in AML cell lines and primary samples (e.g. C188-9 [Redell, et al, 2011, Blood 117:5701-9]). Rational optimization steps have yielded a new lead compound, MM-206, with improved stability in cellular contexts. Our aim is to evaluate the activity of MM-206 in preclinical AML models that include the bone marrow stromal environment.