While the human ENT1 is thought to be the primary transporter mediating drug influx, we recently identified that entry of cytarabine and several structurally related nucleosides, including gemcitabine, is facilitated by the ergothioneine uptake transporter OCTN1 (SLC22A4; ETT); and low expression of OCTN1 in leukemia cells is a strong predictor of poor survival in multiple cohorts of patients with AML treated with cytarabine-based regimens20. The gene discussed is SLC29A1; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.