Abstract Background Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous B-cell malignancy that lacks specific biomarkers and drug targets. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play vital roles in oncogenesis and tumor progression by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of survival-related ceRNA networks in CLL remain to be uncovered. Methods We included 865 de novo CLL patients to investigate RNA expression profiles and Illumina sequencing was performed on four CLL patients, two CLL cell lines and...