HOXB2 and cancer: Extensive upregulation of HOXA7 and HOXB2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B8 has been demonstrated before in AML samples with mutation in DNMT3A. 11 In analogy, many genes of the HOXA and HOXB cluster were upregulated in samples with an epimutation in DNMT3A. HOX genes have a crucial role in regulation of normal hematopoiesis and they appear to be involved in pathogenesis of AML and other cancers.41, 42, 43 It is therefore conceivable that the molecular sequel of DNMT3A mutations/epimutations on regulation of HOX genes have a central role for disease progression.