From the observed increases in TUBB3 expression in response to exposure to TBAs, (Ranganathan et al., 1996; Kavallaris et al., 1997; Ranganathan et al., 1998a; Ranganathan et al., 1998b; Shalli et al., 2005), one can speculate that the induction of βIII-tubulin could enable tumour cells to adapt and survive in a stressful microenvironment. The gene discussed is TUBB3; the disease is neoplasm.