In addition, several factors involving keratinocyte growth factor (Nakazawa et al, 2003), hepatocyte growth factor (Tendo et al, 2005) and interleukin-1β (Yashiro et al, 2007) have been documented as important mediators activating paracrine or autocrine signalling between SGC cells and CAFs, all of which result in the promotion of tumour growth and progression. The gene discussed is TBX1; the disease is neoplasm.