BCAT1 knockdown has been shown to lead to alpha-α-ketoglutarate accumulation and abrogation of the leukaemia-initiating potential, suggesting that the BCAA–BCAT1–alpha-α-ketoglutarate pathway as a therapeutic target for reducing leukaemia stem cell function in patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia [40]. The gene discussed is BCAT1; the disease is leukemia.