Moreover, in CLL cells stimulated to proliferate using CD40L-transfected cells, the rapid activation of RelB and p52 (which persisted throughout the co-culture period) confirms that CD40L-mediated stimulation of CLL cells is concomitant with non-canonical NF-κB pathway signalling. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.