The MEK inhibitor PD184352 enhances BMS-214662-induced apoptosis in CD34+ CML stem/progenitor cells

The cytotoxic farnesyl transferase inhibitor BMS-214662 has been shown to potently induce mitochondrial apoptosis in primitive CD34+ chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) stem/progenitor cells. Here, to enhance the BMS-214662 apoptotic effect, we further targeted the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, downstream of BCR–ABL, by treating CD34+ CML stem/progenitor cells with a highly selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP)...