IGFBP7 and neoplasm: IGFBP7-positive transfectants of the H2170 cell line displayed remarkably decreased colony-forming ability in soft agar (in vitro cellular transformation technique), suppression of tumor growth rate in nude mice (genetic mutation harboring strain with deteriorated or absent thymus and subsequent inhibited immune system), and increased cellular apoptosis (programmed cell death), as well as activated caspase-3 expression level (69).