Celastrol Induces Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits the Expression of the AML1-ETO/C-KIT Oncoprotein in t(8;21) Leukemia.Resistance to chemotherapy is a major challenge to improving overall survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  Celastrol, a compound extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook, exerts anticancer activity.  We investigated the effect of celastrol in the t(8;21) AML cell lines Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1.  In addition, we found that celastrol downregulated the AML1-ETO fusion protein, therefore downregulating C-KIT kinases and inhibiting AKT, STAT3 and Erk1/2.  These findings provide clear evidence that celastrol might provide clinical benefits to patients with t(8;21) leukemia.
Celastrol
Celastrol, a compound extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook, exerts anticancer activity. 
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook
We investigated the effect of celastrol in the t(8;21) AML cell lines Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1. 
Kasumi-1
We investigated the effect of celastrol in the t(8;21) AML cell lines Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1. 
SKNO-1