Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Bioimmunotherapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

Correspondence to: B B Aggarwal, Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Bioimmunotherapy, Box 143, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; Fax: 713-794-1613

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) is a family of inducible transcription factors found virtually ubiquitously in all cells. Since its discovery by Sen and Baltimore in 1986, much has been discovered about its mechanisms of activation, its target genes, and its function in a variety of human diseases including those related to inflammation, asthma, atherosclerosis, AIDS, septic shock, arthritis, and cancer. Due to its role in a wide variety of diseases, NF-B has become one of the major targets for drug development. Here, we review our current knowledge of NF-B, the possible mechanisms of its activation, its potential role in cancer, and various strategies being employed to target the NF-B signaling pathway for cancer drug development.

Leukemia (2002) 16, 1053-1068. DOI: 10.1038/sj/leu/2402482

nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B); IB kinase (IKK); inflammation; cancer; drug development; apoptosis