Similar to MERTK inhibition in AML/ALL, shRNA-mediated MERTK inhibition in MM cell lines decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis following serum starvation, decreased downstream signaling through AKT and ERK1/2, decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, increased cleaved caspase 3, and prolonged survival in a mouse model of systemic myeloma (Figure 2) [79]. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.