Abstract
Purpose: Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is constitutively expressed in many acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells and AML stem cells.
Ex vivo treatment of AML cells with inhibitors of NF-κB results in diminished AML cell survival and enhances the cytotoxic effects
of chemotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this study was to determine if standard anti-inflammatory agents modulate AML cell
nuclear NF-κB when administered in conjunction with induction chemotherapy.
Experimental Design: Patients with newly diagnosed AML were treated with dexamethasone, choline magnesium trisalicylate, or both for 24 hours
prior to and 24 hours following initiation of standard induction chemotherapy. AML cell nuclear NF-κB was measured at baseline,
24, and 48 hours.
Results: Choline magnesium trisalicylate ± dexamethasone decreased nuclear NF-κB, whereas dexamethasone alone was associated with
an increase in nuclear NF-κB in AML cells.
Conclusions: These results show the feasibility of NF-κB modulation in conjunction with induction chemotherapy for patients with AML using
inexpensive readily available medications. A follow-up study to determine the effects of NF-κB modulation on clinical end
points is warranted.