quinoxaline urea

Quinoxaline urea (QU) is a small molecule scaffold identified as a potent inhibitor of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, a critical regulator of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, QU was discovered through chemical library screening for inhibitors of NF-κB-mediated transcription. The compound works by suppressing the activity of the constitutively active IKK complex, thereby preventing the phosphorylation of IκB and the subsequent nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65. In preclinical studies, QU has demonstrated low-micromolar potency in inhibiting the growth and inducing apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, it has been shown to reduce the migratory and invasive capabilities of these cells, suggesting potential utility in treating metastatic pancreatic cancer. Its efficacy in these models is reported to be comparable to other NF-κB inhibitors currently in clinical trials, such as parthenolide and curcumin.

Other names

quinoxaline urea analog