Nutlin-3a activates p53 and its target p21 and induces G1 cell cycle block and low levels of apoptotic cells. OCI-AML3 cells were treated with nutlin-3a. p53 and p21 levels were determined by Western blot at 24 hours, and cell death and cell cycle distribution were assessed by annexin V/7-AAD and PI staining, respectively, at 24 and 48 hours.