The recent introduction of Imatinib medication has improved the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) however, early relapses and resistance prevent many patients from being cured.  Research has now shown that this is due to the inability of current agents to eradicate the blood cancer stem cells which maintain the potential for relapse.  There is thus an urgent need to develop new therapies that target other critical proteins so that the blood cancer stem cells can be eliminated.  This study will determine whether combination therapy designed to target both BCR-ABL (newer ABL inhibitors) and co-operating signaling proteins (LIK inhibitor) involved in drug resistance may overcome Imatinib resistance to improve the treatment of CML. Our work will thus lead directly to the rationale design of new complementary therapies that should produce more effective treatments in CML patients.