Although several publications have reported a correlation between NF-κB activation and Mcl-1 expression in CLL in response to other stimuli41–43, this may possibly be due to NF-κB-induced autocrine signals mediated by interleukins which upregulate Mcl-142, or a common upstream activator of Mcl-1 and NF-κB, as in the case for CD40 stimulation. The gene discussed is CD40; the disease is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.