Dynamic induction of drug resistance through a stress-responsive enhancer in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

The drug efflux pump ABCB1 (ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1) confers chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We recently identified an ABCB1 enhancer that is activated in response to a range of cellular stressors, including anthracycline chemotherapy. Stress drives increased ABCB1 expression and allows leukemia cells to escape from targeted third-generation ABCB1 inhibition.