Over 10 years ago, it was hypothesised that TNFα could increase tumour response to radiation through stimulation of the host antitumour immune responses, direct tumour-cell kill, or through the increase in tumour-cell sensitivity to radiation (Sersa et al, 1988; Hallahan et al, 1990; Gridley et al, 1994a,1994b; Kimura et al, 1999; Azria et al, 2003a). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is neoplasm.