The protein immunoreactivity of SPARC was detected mainly in the stroma cells, but rarely in the tumour cells in malignant ovaries, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (Porte et al, 1995; Le Bail et al, 1999; Paley et al, 2000; Iacobuzio-Donahue et al, 2002). The gene discussed is SPARC; the disease is breast cancer.