Single-agent paclitaxel has shown an initial 17% activity in advanced cervical cancer at a dose of 170 mg m−2 in 24-h infusion (Thigpen et al, 1995; McGuire et al, 1996), whereas subsequent doses of 250 mg m−2 over 3 h with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support yielded response rates (RRs) of 25% (Kudelka et al, 1997). The gene discussed is CSF3; the disease is cervical carcinoma.