BASP1 and neoplasm: BASP1 is widely expressed in embryonic and adult tissues but its functions are as yet largely unknown.1, 6 The BASP1 gene is silenced in several tumour types including hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancer and leukaemias.7, 8, 9 Moreover, cellular transformation by v-myc requires silencing of the BASP1 gene.5 Thus, current data suggest that BASP1 acts as a tumour suppressor.