BAG3 and neoplasm: Perhaps the most interesting question derives from the fact that while BAG3 expression maintains cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis and by removing the debris that accumulates in cells that are under continuous mechanical tension such as cardiac myocytes, these mechanisms are maladaptive in the presence of malignant cells as increased levels of BAG3 can decrease apoptosis leading to increased tumor growth, enhanced metastasis, decreased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and reduced survival.