Inhibition of tumor growth by NF‐κB inhibitors

Abstract

NF‐κB is a transcription factor that induces inflammatory cytokines and anti‐apoptotic proteins. NF‐κB is often constitutively activated in human cancers and leukemias, which might increase the malignant character of neoplastic diseases. Therefore, NF‐κB inhibitors might be useful as anticancer agents. Our research team designed a new NF‐κB inhibitor that is based on the structure of the antibiotic epoxyquomicin C isolated from a microorganism. The designed compound, DHMEQ, inhibited the ligand‐induced activation of NF‐κB, and it also inhibited the constitutively activated NF‐κB in cancer cells. DHMEQ is a unique inhibitor of NF‐κB that acts at the level of the nuclear translocation. It inhibited both canonical and non‐canonical NF‐κB activating pathways. It inhibited various carcinomas and leukemias in animal models without any toxicity, and might be useful as an anticancer agent. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 990–995)