BIRC5 and cancer: However, BIRC5 is prominently expressed in transformed cell lines and in all of the most common human cancers, including lung, colon, pancreas, prostate, and breast cancer.[30] BIRC5 is involved in the inhibition of apoptosis; therefore, elevated BIRC5 expression may play a crucial role in the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.[14] Nuclear BIRC5 expression in cholangiocarcinoma was shown to be associated with poor prognosis.[31] In the current study, BIRC5 mRNA was significantly highly expressed in malignant biliary strictures and was also a good predictor of this condition.