As CD11b expression generally suggests terminal differentiation, the dissociation of CD14 and CD11b expression by the MEK5-ERK5-MEF2C signaling cascade implies that the monocytic characteristics of AML cells in the early phase of 1,25D-induced differentiation may just be an associated phenomenon, but is not a necessary component of any potential anti-cancer effect of 1,25D. The gene discussed is CD14; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.