Although no general enrichment of HIF1α could be detected by RT–qPCR in tumor sections; the results obtained by ISH fit well with previous observations that loss of E-cadherin at the protein level could be compensated by HIF1α expression to ensure cell survival7, 12 and that the high levels of HIF1α could indicate a poorer prognosis for cancer patients.16 This question had not been analyzed closer at this stage, as follow-up data are not available at present. The gene discussed is CDH1; the disease is cancer.