The expression of FOXP3 in T cells corresponds with immune regulatory function (Hori et al, 2003; Fontenot et al, 2005; Roncador et al, 2005), indicating that the number of FOXP3-positive tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes is representative of the number of potential immune suppressor T cells in the tumour microenvironment (reviewed in Banham et al, 2006). This evidence concerns the gene FOXP3 and neoplasm.