AEB071 antagonizes PMA-induced B-CLL survival and enhances apoptosis. (A-B) CD19⁺ cells from CLL patients (N = 7) were treated with AEB071 (2 μM) and stimulated with PMA (250 ng/mL) for 24 hours. ERK phosphorylation at Thr202/Tyr204, AKT phosphorylation at Ser473, GSK3-β phosphorylation at Ser9, and IκBα phosphorylation was assessed by immunoblot. Results from 2 patients are presented; black line indicates cropped regions wherein only relevant bands are shown. Band quantification is represented as fold change from unstimulated control (mean ± SD). (C) CD19⁺ cells from CLL patients (N = 10) were stimulated with PMA (250 ng/mL) in presence or absence of AEB071 (2 μM) for 24 hours and cytotoxicity was measured by annexin/PI staining. Dark lines represent averages. (D-G) CD19⁺ cells from CLL patients (N = 6) were treated with AEB071 (2 or 5 μM) and stimulated with PMA (250 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Expression of MCL1 (D-E) and BCL2 (F-G) was assessed by immunoblot. Results from 3 patients are presented; black line indicates cropped regions wherein only relevant bands are shown. Band quantification is represented as fold change from unstimulated control (mean ± SD).