Abstract: A Beclin 1-targeting stapled peptide and a pharmaceutical composition. The stapled peptide includes an amino acid sequence at least 66.7% identical to amino acid residues 191-205 of Beclin 1, an amino acid residue E195 and an amino acid residue N202 in the stapled peptide are connected by a hydrocarbon staple to stabilize the ?-helical structure of the stapled peptide. The hydrocarbon staple is located at a position in the stapled peptide closer to the Beclin1 coiled coil domain-stapled peptide binding interface, which can enhance the binding affinity of the stapled peptide to Beclin 1 by 10-30 fold. Compared to other autophagy inducers like rapamycin and Tat-Beclin 1 peptide, the optimized stapled peptide shows the unique profile of not only inducing autophagy but also significantly enhancing the endolysosomal degradation of cell surface oncogenic receptors EGFR and HER2 in HER2-positive cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to small molecules which function as inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member proteins (e.g., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL). The invention also relates to the use of these compounds for inducing apoptotic cell death and sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death.

Abstract: The invention relates to small molecules which function as inhibitors of Stat3. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds for inducing cell death and sensitizing cells to the induction of cell death by anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to small molecules which function as inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member proteins (e.g., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL). The invention also relates to the use of these compounds for inducing apoptotic cell death and sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death.