Consistent with our own data, DUSP4 expression has previously been shown to be increased in pancreatic tumours with K-Ras mutations (Yip-Schneider et al, 2001) and DUSP6 expression increased in a variety of tumour types with mutations in Ras or Raf pathway genes (Croonquist et al, 2003; Warmka et al, 2004; Bloethner et al, 2005). This evidence concerns the gene DUSP6 and neoplasm.