With thresholds at FDR ≤ 0.05 (likelihood ratio test) and log2FC ≥ ±1, the signature included 9 downregulated (ITPRIPL2, TNFRSF9, CALHM2, KIR3DL2, MAF, IL1A, CSF1, FNBP1L and NT5E), 0 upregulated DEGs in M-CLL-S (Fig. 1Biii) and no overrepresented pathways, although MAF is associated with B cell anergy in mouse models [27]. This evidence concerns the gene NT5E and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.