Finally, CD44-dependend apoptosis resistance can proceed via CD44-promoted MMP9 expression (Desai et al., 2009), high CD44 and MMP9 expression being associated with a poor prognosis in CLL patients (Kivisaari et al., 2010; Buggins et al., 2011). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.