Accordingly, the relative levels of pY705-STAT3 in CLL cells were found similar in IFN-treated cells and in untreated cells at 24 h of culture (data not shown), but the significant elevation in total STAT3 levels in all IFN-treated cells indicates that STAT3 was being induced (Figure 2a). Here, IFNA1 is linked to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.