Further delineation of DRAK2 mediated signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and pro-survival pathways, such as AKT/ERK, Syk/Lyn, and Wnt/β-catenin, in patient-derived CLL cells from both treatment naïve and refractory cases will allow us to better understand the role of DRAK2 in CLL biology and assist in the identification of new drug targets in this disease. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.