Several studies have also reported that recombinant human erythropoietin might have a proliferative or survival-promoting effect on tumours (Takeshita et al, 2000; Westenfelder and Baranowski, 2000; Acs et al, 2001; Lai et al, 2005; Feldman et al, 2006). This evidence concerns the gene EPO and neoplasm.