Method and agent for inducing apoptosis/cell death in leukemia cells

摘要

A method for inducing apoptosis or cell death in leukemia cells includes inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) by using a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, or the actions of NO by a NO quencher/scavenger. The NOS inhibitor includes a NOS1-specific inhibitor, such as N-[4-(2-{[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]amino}ethyl)phenyl]-2-thiophenecarboximide dihydrochloride, [N⁵-(1-imino-3-butenyl)-L-ornithine], 7-nitroindazole, or 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole. The examples of NO quencher/scavenger include 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide and hydroxocobalamin.