A potent RSK inhibitor, BI-D1870, increases metaphase arrest by preventing the metaphase/anaphase transition, followed by induced apoptosis of AML patient cells through impeded association of cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) with anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) and increased mitotic arrest deficient 1 (MAD2) and CDC20 binding. This evidence concerns the gene RPS6KA3 and acute myeloid leukemia.