Targeting STAT3 with SH-4-54 suppresses stemness and chemoresistance in cancer stem-like cells derived from colorectal cancer

Figure 2 SH-4-54 inhibited stemness in cancer stem cells. A-C: SW480 or LoVo cells were suspended and cultured in serum-free medium and kept for 12-days. At day 3, 6, 9, and 12, spheroids were imaged. After addition of SH-4-54 for 72 hours, spheroids were imaged (B) and self-renewal capacity was analyzed by performing serial replating assay (C); D: After SH-4-54 treatment, ALDH1A1, CD44 and Nanog were detected by performing western blot. After addition of SH-4-54 for 72 hours, cells were collected and stemness hallmarkers were detected by western blot, including CD44, Nanog, and ALDH1A1. ^aP < 0.05 vs mock group. PCs: Parental cells; CSCs: Cancer stem cells.