Disclosed herein is {[5 (3 fluorophenyl) 3 hydroxypyridine 2 carbonyl] amino} acetic acid and the ester and amide prodrugs thereof that can stabilize hypoxia inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF 2a) and thereby provide a method for treating cancer. Further disclosed are compositions which comprise {[5 (3 fluorophenyl) 3 hydroxypyridine 2 carbonyl] amino} acetic acid and/or a prodrug thereof which can be used to treat cancer.