Overexpression of Tpl2 is linked to imatinib resistance and activation of MEK-ERK and NF-κB pathways in a model of chronic myeloid leukemia.

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has transformed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) into a chronic disease with long-term survival exceeding 85%. However, resistance of CML stem cells to TKI may contribute to the 50% relapse rate observed after TKI discontinuation in molecular remission. We previously described a model of resistance to imatinib mesylate (IM), in which K562 cells cultured in high concentrations of imatinib mesylate showed reduced Bcr-Abl1 protein and activity levels while maintaining proliferative potential.