Extrinsic apoptosis can be initiated either by the ligand-induced activation of plasma membrane death receptors (e.g., FAS/CD95, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)) or by so-called dependence receptors (e.g., deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC)), when the concentration of their ligands falls below a specific threshold [1]. The gene discussed is FAS; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.