Several cell types in the TME have been shown to support T-ALL survival and progression, including vascular endothelial cells through a C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-CXCL12 axis in the BM17,18, and thymic epithelial cells (TECs) through release of interleukin 7 (IL-7) and expression of NOTCH1 ligands9,19,20. This evidence concerns the gene IL7 and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.