Accordingly, IL-7-dependency is shared by most T-ALL cells expressing functional IL-7Rs, which respond to IL-7 stimulation by activating Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and PI3K/protein kinase B (PKB or AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways that lead to cell survival and proliferation. Here, IL7 is linked to acute lymphoblastic leukemia.