Chemosensitization of leukemia cells through inhibition of NAMPT

Background NAMPT (Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the NAD-biosynthesis from nicotinamide and regulates the activity of NADdependent enzymes. Cancer cells are highly dependent on NAD for energy and DNA repair processes and are expected to be more susceptible to the inhibition of NAD synthesis than non-transformed cells. Can inhibition of NAMPT by FK866 sensitize leukemia cells for chemotherapeutic agents?