TNF may increase vascular permeability (Royall et al, 1989) as well as induce endothelial cell apoptosis (Polunovsky et al, 1994; Messmer et al, 1999), possibly mediated by reduced αvβ3 integrin-mediated tumour endothelial cell adhesion (Ruegg et al, 1998). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is neoplasm.