Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is an oncogenic carbonyl reductase that eliminates alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds/lipid peroxides and mediates retinoic acid signaling. Targeted inhibition of AKR1B10 activity is a newly emerging strategy for cancer therapy. This study evaluated the inhibitory activity of a small chemical statil towards AKR1B10 and tested its antiproliferative activity in breast (BT-20) and lung (NCI-H460) cancer cells that express AKR1B10. Experimental results showed that statil inhibited AKR1B10 enzyme activity efficiently, with an IC50 at 0.21+/-0.06 mu mol/l. Exposing BT-20 and NCI-H460 cells to statil and diclofenac, a selective AKR1B10 inhibitor, led to dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and proliferation and plating efficiency. At higher doses (50 mu mol/l or higher), statil induced cell death with apoptotic characteristics, such as DNA fragmentation and Annexin-V staining. Furthermore, statil enhanced the susceptibility of cells to acrolein, an active substrate of AKR1B10. Taken together, these data suggest that statil possesses potent antiproliferative activity by inhibiting AKR1B10 activity. (C) 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.