Although together these data suggested a minimal contribution of CD44 to the basal phenotype of tamoxifen-resistant cells, further investigations revealed that CD44 expression significantly augmented the cellular response to the exogenous erbB ligand, heregulin, or to the CD44 ligand, hyaluronan, factors known to be present in the tumour microenvironment and which can influence tumour progression and spread. The gene discussed is NRG1; the disease is neoplasm.