Desialylation of cloned cancer cells induces Fas‐mediated apoptosis and drug‐induced apoptosis.27, 28 Desialylation of lymphoma cell surfaces by neuraminidase treatment is associated with enhanced Fas‐ or drug‐induced apoptosis.29, 30, 31 In our research, etoposide‐induced apoptosis appeared to be enhanced by neuraminidase treatment,32 and there is a possibility that drug resistance may be regulated by cell surface sialylation in the HBL‐2 cell line. The gene discussed is FAS; the disease is lymphoma.