Background: Cancer stem cells are considered to be fundamentally important for resistance, recurrence and metastasis. Napabucasin is a first-in-class cancer stemness inhibitor in development identified by its ability to inhibit STAT3-driven gene transcription and spherogenesis of cancer stem cells (Li et al, PNAS 112(6):1839, 2015). Preclinically, napabucasin sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy and targeted agents. Methods: A phase Ib/II multi-center study in mCRC pts was done to confirm the RP2D and signs of anti-cancer activity of napabucasin in combination with FOLFIRI +/- Bev. Pts received napabucasin 240 mg PO BID with bi-weekly FOLFIRI IV +/- Bev 5 mg/kg until disease progression or other discontinuation criterion. Results: 82 pretreated mCRC pts were enrolled (ITT); including 32 (39%) previously treated with FOLFIRI +/- bev. Of the 82 pts, 48 received FOLFIRI and 34 FOLFIRI plus bev in combination with napabucasin. There was no dose-limiting or unexpected toxicity or significant PK interactions. Most common adverse events (AEs) included grade 1/2 diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and anorexia with grade 4 diarrhea in 1 pt and 27 pts with grade 3 AEs including: diarrhea (15), fatigue (5), dehydration (1), electrolyte imbalance (4), abdominal pain (1), vomiting (1) and weight loss (1), which resolved with dose reduction and supportive care. Disease control (CR+PR+SD) was observed in 55 of 66 pts who received RECIST evaluation (83%), with 1 CR (1.5%), 13 PR (20%) (33-100% regression) and 27 SD with tumor regression (41%). Conclusions: This phase Ib/II study confirmed that napabucasin can be safely combined with FOLFIRI +/- bev, and shows encouraging signs of efficacy in pretreated mCRC pts, including pts previously treated with FOLFIRI +/- bev. Clinical trial information: NCT02024607