The second generation CDK2/CDK9 inhibitor, fadraciclib, has significant anti-leukemic effects in xenograft models of KMT2A-r AML (Chantkran et al., 2021; Frame et al., 2020) and is currently tested in combination with venetoclax in a phase I trial of adult R/R AML (NCT04017546). Here, CDK9 is linked to acute myeloid leukemia.