To validate the link between mtDNAc and increased drug resistance, we performed a genetic knockdown (KD) of the DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) gene (through the usage of shPOLG) in primary AML cells included in the training cohort (n = 11), which encodes the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase. Here, POLG is linked to acute myeloid leukemia.