Positively correlated expression for the PHTF1, FEM1b and Apaf-1 genes was found in ALL patients (PHTF1 vs. FEM1b: rs = 0.864, P < 0.001 and FEM1b vs. Apaf-1: rs = 0.682, P = 0.005) (Fig. 4a, b) and HIs (PHTF1 vs. FEM1b: rs = 0.939, P < 0.001 and FEM1b vs. Apaf-1 rs = 0.830 P = 0.003) (Fig. 4c, d). Here, APAF1 is linked to acute lymphoblastic leukemia.