Since no single marker can fully elucidate the mechanism underlying chemoprevention, we analysed the expression of a panel of markers that are reliable indicators of cell proliferation and survival (p21, cyclin D1, glutathione S-transferase pi; GST-P, and nuclear factor kappa B; NF-κB), apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C, caspase-3, caspase-9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; PARP), as well as tumour invasion and angiogenesis (cytokeratins and vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF) by RT-PCR, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analyses. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is neoplasm.