Downregulation of TSP1 through TXR1 overexpression has been proposed as a novel mechanism that modulates the cellular cytotoxicity of taxanes in vitro (Lih et al, 2006); indeed, in a previous report we have confirmed the clinical relevance of this mechanism in a group of patients with lung adenocarcinomas treated with a chemotherapy regimen combining docetaxel and gemcitabine (Papadaki et al, 2009). Here, THBS1 is linked to lung adenocarcinoma.