Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, i.e., caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC), also called PYCARD or TMS1 (Target of Methylation-induced Silencing-1), was originally identified as a cytosolic protein, forming large aggregates called specks in HL-60 cells after induction of apoptosis by retinoid acid and other anti-tumor drugs (Masumoto et al., 1999). This evidence concerns the gene PYCARD and neoplasm.