The elevated levels of the Mcm5 DNA replication licensing protein found in gastric aspirates from patients with oesophageal cancer is consistent with our previous immunohistochemical findings demonstrating aberrant expression of Mcm2 and Mcm5 proteins in dysplastic and malignant oesophageal lesions (Going et al, 2002). The gene discussed is MCM2; the disease is carcinoma of esophagus.