Although the functional roles of Survivin and the Survivin isoforms in normal cells vs their roles in tumourigenesis are not yet completely understood, transcriptional and protein levels of Survivin and its isoforms have been determined to correlate with tumour aggression in a variety of malignancies, including CNS tumours (Mahotka et al, 2002b; Altieri, 2003b; Altura et al, 2003, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters et al, 2003; Shariat et al, 2004). The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is neoplasm.