Sodium stibogluconate (Stibogluconate trisodium nonahydrate) is a potent protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor.

99% of SHP-1 activity at 10 μg/mL inhibited by Sodium stibogluconate. Similar degrees of inhibition of SHP-2 and PTP1B required 100 μg/mL Sodium stibogluconate. The inhibition of cellular PTPases by the Sodium stibogluconate is suggested by its rapid induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins in Baf3 cells and its augmentation of IL-3-induced Janus family kinase 2/Stat5 tyrosine phosphorylation and proliferation of Baf3 cells. The augmentation of the opposite effects of GM-CSF and IFN-α on TF-1 cell growth by Sodium stibogluconate indicate its broad activities in the signaling of various cytokines[1].

Sodium stibogluconate induces 61% growth inhibition of Renca tumors in BALB/c mice coincident with an increase (2-fold) in tumor-infiltrating macrophages. A combination of Sodium stibogluconate and IL-2 is more effective in inhibiting tumor growth (91%) and inducing tumor-infiltrating (4-fold)[2].