Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction according to the Taqman methodology was performed to quantify DEC in leukapheresis products of breast cancer patients by the RGE using a panel of genes related to the breast gland or involved in breast cancer: maspin, mammaglobin and c-ErbB-2 (Leone et al, 2001). The gene discussed is SERPINB5; the disease is breast cancer.