We and others have shown that ECE-1 expression is significantly elevated in tumours (Ahmed et al, 2000; Eberl et al, 2000; Egidy et al, 2000b; Arun et al, 2001; Usmani et al, 2002; Dawson et al, 2004, 2006; Awano et al, 2005; Smollich et al, 2007). This evidence concerns the gene ECE1 and neoplasm.