When Cdc20 levels increase during the metaphase, cyclin B1 will be degraded, resulting in Cdk1 inactivation and mitotic exit.46 On the other hand, a prolonged activation of the cyclin B1–Cdk1 complex occurs when cells are arrested in the metaphase, resulting in the phosphorylation and inactivation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and subsequent activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.35,47,48 Consistent with the above, the proTAME-induced prolonged metaphase in DLBCL and MCL cells is accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease in viability and increase in caspase-mediated apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene BCL2L1 and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.