Cell cycle analysis showed that the addition of CpG ODN to CLL cells culture induced an entry into S/G2/M phase, this increasing with the addition of BMSC and CD40L (Figure 1B) (mean % cells in S phase with CpG ODN vs. suspension: 7.56±0.89 vs. 2.81±0.38, P<0.001; mean % cells in S phase with BMSC+CD40L+CpG ODN vs. suspension: 8.99±1.26 vs. 2.81±0.38, P<0.001; mean % cells in G2/M phase with BMSC+CD40L+CpG ODN vs. suspension: 2.54±1.27 vs. 0.89±0.28, P=n.s). The gene discussed is CD40LG; the disease is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.