Consistent with a critical role of apoptosis inhibition in tumour progression, overexpression of survivin in model cancer cell types provided a broad cytoprotective mechanism, counteracting apoptosis induced by FAS/TNF legation, proapoptotic Bax, effector caspases, and various chemotherapeutic drugs (Tamm et al, 1998). The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is neoplasm.