Out of 46 lung tumour samples analysed by RT–PCR, squamous cell carcinoma (80%), adenocarcinoma (42%), and large cell carcinoma (72%) show downregulation or loss of TβRII, and Western blot analyses suggest reduced expression of TβRII in 77% of lung tumour samples. The gene discussed is TGFBR2; the disease is adenocarcinoma.