Anti-CD33 monoclonal antibodies enhance the cytotoxic effects of cytosine arabinoside and idarubicin on acute myeloid leukemia cells through similarities in their signaling pathways

These data suggest that combined incubation of leukemia cells with anti-CD33 mAb and ara-C or IDA, but not VP-16 or Bryostatin, independently triggers similar events in the downstream signaling cascade, and therefore leads to additive antiproliferative effects and enhanced cytotoxicity.