XI-011

XI-011 (also known as NSC146109) is a small-molecule inhibitor of MDMX (MDM4) and an activator of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Chemically identified as a pseudourea derivative, it works by downregulating MDMX at both the mRNA and protein levels, thereby preventing MDMX-mediated degradation of p53. This restoration of p53 function leads to the upregulation of p21 and pro-apoptotic genes, resulting in cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Research has primarily focused on its efficacy in head and neck cancer (HNC), especially in tumors overexpressing MDMX, where it has shown synergistic potential when combined with MDM2 inhibitors like nutlin-3a.

Other names

1,3-bis(4-nitrophenyl)pseudourea