In particular, FOXC1 seems more effective than IRX3 at suppressing expression of monocytic lineage transcription factor genes such as IRF8, IRF5, and KLF4. In contrast, in comparison with IRX3low AML cases, in IRX3high cases there is increased expression of the granulocytic lineage regulator gene GFI1. In some cases both FOXC1 and IRX3 are misexpressed, and here the resulting cellular phenotype will represent the integrated consequence of the prevailing nuclear transcription factor milieu. The gene discussed is IRF8; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.