Abstract: Anthraquinone analogs that have anticancer properties are disclosed. Pharmaceutical formulations in forms suitable for the delivery of the compounds to a subject in need thereof are disclosed. Methods of using the compounds for treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a cancer, such as leukemia, in a subject are also disclosed. The methods include (i) administering to the subject the pharmaceutical formulation containing one or more compounds, for one or more times. The compounds can induce apoptosis in cancer cells, such as leukemia cells harboring WT-p53 (e.g., EU-1 leukemia cells), MCF7 cells, RS4;11 cells, and/or HeLa cells, by downregulating MDM2 and upregulating p53 in these cancer cells.