The blockade of NF-κB activation via chemical agents or the overexpression of the mutant form of the inhibitor κB-α (IκBα) in BM-MSCs markedly reduced the stromal-mediated chemotherapeutic drug resistance in leukaemia cells in vitro and in vivo. An in vivo model of the human leukaemia BM microenvironment also illustrated a direct link between NF-κB activation and stromal-associated chemoprotection. Here, NFKBIA is linked to leukemia.