The adhesion molecule ALCAM shows an altered expression in breast cancer, and has been described as a prognostic and predictive marker (Kristiansen et al, 2003; King et al, 2004; Weichert et al, 2004; Swart et al, 2005; Verma et al, 2005; Burkhardt et al, 2006; Ihnen et al, 2008). The gene discussed is ALCAM; the disease is breast carcinoma.