The highly sialylated cell-surface protein CD24, which is overexpressed in some forms of ovarian and breast cancer, binds to Siglec-10 on macrophages, thereby protecting the tumour cells from phagocytotic cell death (Fig. 1).56 However, treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an anti-CD24 monoclonal antibody, or genetic ablation of either CD24 or Siglec-10 restored phagocytosis.56 Furthermore, an in vivo murine xenograft model showed a reduction in MCF-7 tumour growth and increased survival in mice that had tumours deficient in CD24.56 This evidence concerns the gene CD24 and neoplasm.