Although TNF and CD95 ligand (CD95L/FasL) are unsuitable for cancer treatment because of their systemic inflammatory effects (Lejeune et al, 1998) and hepatotoxicity (Walczak et al, 1999), respectively, the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an extremely promising biotherapeutic, owing to its potency and limited side effects (Ashkenazi and Herbst, 2008). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and cancer.