Elevated plasma levels of ET-1 have been detected in patients with various solid tumours, including hepatocellular, gastric and prostate cancer (Nakamuta et al, 1993; Nelson et al, 1995, Ferrari-Bravo et al, 2000), where levels are greatest in patients with metastastic, hormone refractory disease. The gene discussed is EDN1; the disease is Familial prostate cancer.