South Dakota State researchers investigated the role aspirin and its primary metabolite salicylic acid play as chemoprotective agents via the inhibition of cell cycle regulators cyclin A2 and CDK2. Using a variety of human cancer cell lines (HCT 116, HT-29, SW480, SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-5, MDA-MB-231, MCF7, NCI-H226, OVCAR-3, PC-3, and B16-F10), the scientists investigated the effects the drugs had on cyclin A2 and CDK2 levels and activity. Floating and trypsinized cells were collected and analyzed for viability with Trypan Blue and the Cellometer Auto T4. In all the cell lines examined, aspirin and salicylic acid down regulated cyclin A2 and CDK2 [...]