NSC 74859 enhances doxorubicin cytotoxicity via inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Doxorubicin-based therapy is not effective for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), which often undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumor progression. Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is associated with chemosensitivity and may contribute to EMT during HCC chemotherapy. Low doses of NSC 78459 (a novel STAT3 inhibitor) have little effect on HCC cell proliferation, but efficiently inhibit STAT3.