Discovery of novel KSP-targeting PROTACs with potent antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo.

Kinesin spindle protein (KSP) plays a crucial role during mitosis, making it an attractive target for cancer treatment. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of the first series of KSP degraders by using the utilization of the proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology. Compound 21 was identified as a potent KSP degrader with a DC (concentration causing 50 % of protein degradation) value of 114.

Isoalantolactone/hydroxamic acid hybrids as potent dual STAT3/HDAC inhibitors and self-assembled nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

Conventional chemotherapy, especially with natural anticancer drugs, usually suffers from poor bioavailability and low tumor accumulation. To address these limitations, we developed a novel approach for modifying natural products in which amphiphilic hydroxamic acid hybrids based on a natural product: isoalantolactone (IAL) were rationally designed. Compound 18 is identified as a highly potent dual signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitor and induces autophagy and apoptosis.