FLI1 and neoplasm: However, in Welford et al,(2001) expression of this FLI-1 DBD did not affect tumour growth of EWS/FLI-1-transformed NIH3T3 cells in vivo. This was suggested to be a result of DBD-independent effects of the EWS/FLI-1 protein, although inhibition of an ES cell line was observed (Welford et al, 2001).