As part of our translational research efforts, we are examining the activity of salicylates, which modulate the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members and inhibit nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-_B) activation. We have shown that salicylates can directly activate caspases and can induce apoptosis of myeloid leukemia cells. We have also shown that salicylates act synergistically with chemotherapy (such as daunorubicin) to kill AML cells in vitro.
We have recently shown that salicylates can induce G1 arrest and induce differentiation of acute leukemia cells. Having identified several novel functions of salicylates, we have embarked on both animal studies and clinical trials of salicylates to understand the chemopreventive activity of salicylates and further investigate their role in cancer chemotherapy.
