Ethyl 2,2-difluoro-2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) acetate inhibits the malignant biological behaviors of colorectal cancer by restricting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT3

To investigate the effect of a novel coumarin derivative, ethyl 2,2-difluoro-2 - (2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) acetate (C2F), on the malignant biological behaviors of colorectal cancer (CRC) and elucidate its mechanism. In vitro, the effects of C2F on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of CRC cells were analyzed by MTT assay, EdU stainning, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assay. The anti-CRC activity of C2F was evaluated in a nude mice xenograft model in vivo. Western blot was conducted to detect the expression of protein in cells and mice tissue. Then, the potential targets of C2F in CRC were predicted by network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking. The localization of STAT3 was observed through immunofluorescence experiment. C2F inhibits CRC cell proliferation, promotes CRC cell apoptosis, hinders CRC cell migration and invasion, and prevents the cell cycle from entering the G2/M phase. In vivo, C2F inhibited tumor growth in xenograft model. C2F inhibited signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and blocked interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced STAT3 nuclear translocation. C2F inhibits the malignant biological behavior of CRC by limiting STAT3 phosphorylation and entry into the nucleus.