However, it has also been demonstrated that BCL-2 overexpression can prevent Fas mediated cell death in lymphoid cell lines and in breast cancer (29, 45), and can abrogate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in cells overexpressing Fas receptor (46) suggesting that even though Fas signalling can function independently of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members, BCL-2 may play a role in blunting the apoptotic effect of Fas (47). This evidence concerns the gene FAS and breast cancer.