Compared to healthy postmenopausal women (n = 110), significantly lower levels of adrenal precursors (DHEA, DHEA-S), estrogens (E1, E2, and E1-S), and LH and FSH were detected in female CLL cases whereas levels of Testo and 5-diol were significantly higher (P < 0.05; Fig. 3b, right panel). This evidence concerns the gene PLOD1 and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.