Follicular lymphoma (FL) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) are paradigmatic
examples of lymphoid malignancies in which the relevant biological mechanisms are
alterations in the control of apoptosis rather than an exaggerated proliferation. This explains
why low-grade B-cell neoplasms still fail to be cured with current approaches. It is becoming
increasingly clear that the defective apoptosis of FL and B-CLL has to be ascribed not only
to intrinsic defects of the neoplastic cells, but also to extrinsic factors that influence their …