We demonstrate that besides increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, VDAC1, and the apoptosis-related proteins MAVS (mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein, also known as IPS-1, Cardif or VISA [28]), AIF, and SMAC/Diablo, are also markedly over-expressed in lymphocytes of CLL patients. Here, VDAC1 is linked to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.