It is well known that Aurora-A inhibitor MLN8237 can disrupt the Aurora-A/MYCN complex, promote degradation of MYCN and subsequently inhibit MYCN-dependent transcription.23, 24 In this study, MLN8237 induced increased apoptosis in HEL, K562, Kasumi-1, THP1, primary erythroleukemia CD34+ cells and primary AML-M2/M5 cells (Figures 7a and b). This evidence concerns the gene CD34 and acute myeloid leukemia.