Elesclomol (STA-4783) is a small molecule that induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in cancer cells by increasing oxidative stress, while having little or no effect on normal cells. It is a pro-apoptotic agent that demonstrates anti-tumor activity against a broad range of cancer cell types. It promotes apoptosis in Hs294T melanoma cells treated with 100 nmol/L for six hours by rapidly generating reactive oxygen species and inducing the transcription of Hsp70 and metallothionein.1 Stage III clinical trials to assess efficacy of elesclomol treatment in combination with paclitaxel2, 1 in patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma were suspended due to safety concerns.