We also reported previously that IFN/5-FU did not induce apoptosis of cultured normal liver epithelial cells in vitro or hepatocytes in patients who underwent hepatectomy after IFN/5-FU combination therapy, although the combination treatment induced apoptosis of tumor cells [14] These results suggest that non-cancerous cells are resistant to apoptosis induced by IFN/5-FU. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is neoplasm.