Sak et al (2005) stated that one possible explanation is that the reduced expression of XRCC1 and APE1 merely reflects the poorly differentiated nature of tumour cells in more aggressive tumours, and that cells from aggressive tumours with extensive genomic instability could contain chromosomal aberrations that result in the failure of transcription of genes, including DNA repair genes, thus resulting in lower protein expression of the gene products. The gene discussed is XRCC1; the disease is neoplasm.