Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze the mRNA levels of apoptotic genes (p53, Bax and Bcl-2) in AML 12 cells exposed to 0, 20, 30 and 40 μg/mL of CdTe QDs for 24 h, as well as, AML 12 cells exposed to 40 μg/mL CdTe QDs + tBHQ for 24 h, to determine if CdTe QDs induced apoptosis. The gene discussed is BAX; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.