A number of studies have demonstrated elevated cellular activity of c-Src, the prototypic member of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, during colorectal tumour progression, with an increasing trend from adenomas through to malignant carcinomas and metastases (Bolen et al, 1987; Cartwright et al, 1989, 1990, 1994; Talamonti et al, 1993; Termuhlen et al, 1993). The gene discussed is SRC; the disease is adenoma.