Autophagy inhibition has been shown to sensitize tumor cells to cell death induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The remarkable responses obtained in seven patients with the combination of clarithromycin and TKIs support the hypothesis that the inhibition of autophagy may make chronic myeloid leukemia cells sensitive to killing by TKIs.
Keywords: autophagy; chronic myeloid leukemia; clarithromycin; tyrosine kinase inhibitors.