Definition

An inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and 2 (IRS2), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, the IRS1/IRS2/STAT3 inhibitor NT219 specifically targets and binds to IRS1/2 and STAT3. Inhibiting IRS1/2 prevents IRS1/2-mediated signaling pathways and other tumor survival pathways. Inhibiting STAT3 prevents nuclear translocation of STAT3 and the STAT3-mediated regulation of oncogenes expression. This causes tumor cell apoptosis and inhibits tumor cell proliferation. IRS1/2 and STAT3, oncogenic drivers that are upregulated in a variety of human cancers, play key roles in uncontrolled tumor cell proliferation and tumor resistance.