Recent studies indicate that both SCCA1 and SCCA2, the two isoforms so far identified (Schneider et al, 1995), protect neoplastic cells from apoptotic death induced by several kinds of stimuli, and in vivo experiments demonstrate that SCCA1 can promote tumour growth (Suminami et al, 2000, 2001). This evidence concerns the gene SERPINB4 and neoplasm.