Synonyms: BBI-608 | BBI608
Compound class:
Synthetic organic
Comment: Napabucasin (BBI608) is a small molecule naphthoquinone that blocks cancer stemness properties [3,6], It does this by targeting the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway [4]. Napabucasin is orally administered, and is bioactivated by the intracellular antioxidant NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), principally NO. The high level of NO generation causes cell death, and positively correlates with the compound's anti-proliferative activity in cancer cells [1].
COVID-19: Napabucasin has been proposed as a potential repurposing candidate for the treatment of COVID-19, based on a virtual screening analysis of the interaction of existing approved and experimental compounds with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) [2]. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies would be required to validate napabucasin's antiviral activity. |
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