SPARC and neoplasm: Recent studies using genome-wide screening to identify genes that are targeted for aberrant methylation in tumours have also consistently shown SPARC expression to be inducible by 5-Aza-2′deoxycytidine, in pancreatic (Sato et al, 2003), cervical (Sova et al, 2006), and colorectal cancer cell lines (Yang et al, 2007).