It has also been reported that p38MAPK interacts with Foxo3a and regulates its function52, suggesting a link between the p38MAPK/Smad3–Ser208 axis activated by nutrient signalling and the Foxo3a-mediated pathway supporting CML stem cell activity. This evidence concerns the gene SMAD3 and chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive.