As described in the sections that follow, CDK9 inhibitors in general exhibit a variety of effects in AML cells and in vivo models, including reduced phosphorylation of RNA Pol II; reduced levels of proteins such as MYC, MCL-1, XIAP, and cyclin D1; induction of apoptosis; and inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival in animal models. This evidence concerns the gene XIAP and acute myeloid leukemia.