Further support for a sequential approach is based on studies which show that ovarian cancer cells with abrogated p53 gene function are sensitised to taxanes (Cassinelli et al, 2001), and that ovarian tumours with mutated p53 are more responsive to taxanes and less responsive to platinum agents than wild-type p53-expressing tumours (Lavarino et al, 2000; Reles et al, 2001). This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and ovarian neoplasm.