Previous data show that chromosome 5q31, where Betaig-h3 gene has been regionally mapped to, is often deleted in leukaemias, myelodysplastic syndromes and many human cancer such as renal cell, oesophageal and lung carcinomas (Peralta et al, 1998; Wu et al, 1998; Brezinova et al, 2000). Here, TGFBI is linked to cancer.