In striking contrast to the elevated p53 protein found in ODN + IL15-activated CLL cells, qPCR assessments of specific mRNA showed CLL cell activation by ODN + IL15 was linked to significantly reduced TP53 mRNA, both when comparisons were made to freshly isolated CLL (Figure 5G,H, left) or parallel ODN-stimulated CLL cultures without IL15 (Figure 5G,H, right). Here, TP53 is linked to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.