BHLHE40 and cancer: It mediates TGF-β-induced cell survival in breast cancer cells,9 and DEC1-overexpressing cells can resist oxidative stress-mediated cell death.10 Furthermore, DEC1 also regulates p53-dependent cell survival versus cell death through MIC-1 in response to DNA damage stress.11 Thus, DEC1 has multifaceted roles in cancer progression.