Next-generation sequencing studies have demonstrated that somatic BCOR mutations occur in a range of conditions that affect the myeloid and erythroid haematopoietic lineages including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and aplastic anaemia2–6. Here, BCOR is linked to acute myeloid leukemia.