Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation of CLL cell counts with HLA-DR and CD64 expression on classical and intermediate monocytes, HLA-DR on non-classical monocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as CD69 on NK cells in CLL patients (P < 0.001) (online supplement, Table S3). This evidence concerns the gene CD69 and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.