Thus, whilst it is the case that Bcl-2 family proteins have a significant influence on the response of AML to chemotherapy, at least in an ex-vivo environment [32], one might anticipate that targeting Bcl-2 specifically would be useful primarily to reduce peripheral white blood cell counts in patients with significant leukocytosis and consequently delay the progression and severity of the disease. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is Increased total leukocyte count.