High-resolution investigation of somatic copy number alterations has revealed that gene amplification of MCL1 and BCL2L1 (Bcl-xL) are key determinants of survival in many cancers, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, and B-cell acute lymphoblatic leukemia (Goodwin et al., 2015; Koss et al., 2013; Xiao et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2011). The gene discussed is BCL2L1; the disease is breast cancer.