ZBTB16 and malignant colon neoplasm: Thus, the aims of the present study were to: i) screen for potent chemical compounds that are capable of inhibiting the interactions between HB-EGF-CTF and PLZF via GST-pull down assay, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and Alphascreen technology, ii) validate the inhibitory effects of these potent compounds on cell proliferation, and iii) certify the importance of inhibiting the nuclear translocation of HB-EGF-CTF in colon cancer cell proliferation.