Because caspase activation is an essential step in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and cytotoxic drug-induced apoptosis is mediated by caspase 2 and caspase 3, we hypothesized that caspase 2 and 3 levels predict clinical outcome in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Using quantitative Western blot analysis, we studied the levels of nonactivated (uncleaved) caspase 2 and 3 in peripheral blood l...

Caspase-3 cleavage and activation are known to play central roles in apoptosis. However, the mechanisms that regulate caspase-3 cleavage remain elusive. Glutaredoxin (Grx) is a ubiquitous redox molecule that is unique in its ability to regulate S-glutathiolation (glutathiolation) of proteins. Here we show the essential role of Grx in caspase-3 cleavage via regulation of caspase-3 glutathiolatio...

Traditional medicines, derived from plants, could present alternative treatment strategy for cancer therapy. One such plant is Momordica charantia (MC) which possesses anti-carcinogenic properties. This study investigated the anticancer effect of an ethanol extract MC fruit, Kuguacin-J (K-J), isolated compound leaves and cisplatin, either alone or combination on healthy MCF-10A mammary cells co...

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated with the ability of multi-potency, pluripotency, and self-renewal. MSCs show great promise in cancer therapy due to their unique features. MSC secrete various cytokines multifunctional properties, although roles unclear. Methods: We have investigated influence secreted from on KG-1 as a cell model acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For t...