Described herein are new anti-cancer compounds and methods of using such compounds, acting through a new mechanism of action by simultaneous inhibition of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and MDM2. In one embodiment, a cytotoxic compound has the structure (I) or (II). In an embodiment, a method of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to a subject a medicament comprising an effective amount of a cytotoxic small molecule compound that inhibits leukemia inhibitory factor or leukemia inhibitory factor receptor.