However, we showed higher expression of TIM3 in the CLL group with stage 0 compared to stages 3 and 4, according to the Rai stage classification, and a tendency for higher expression of TIM3 was observed in CLL groups with stages 1 and 2 compared to stages 3 and 4, which indicates higher expression of TIM-3 in the earlier clinical stage of disease and suggests its possible diagnostic value in CLL. This evidence concerns the gene HAVCR2 and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.