Previously, we have reported that Hpa2 expression is markedly elevated in head and neck carcinoma compared with the normal epithelium, correlating with prolonged time to disease recurrence (follow-up to failure) and inversely correlating with tumor cell dissemination to regional lymph nodes [12], suggesting that Hpa2 functions as a tumor suppressor. The gene discussed is HPSE2; the disease is head and neck carcinoma.