Previous studies have tested ERCC1 mRNA expression in paraffin-embedded tumour samples in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-FU plus oxaliplatin (Shirota et al, 2001) and in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (Lord et al, 2002); both studies found a significant association between ERCC1 expression and survival. The gene discussed is ERCC1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.