Recent studies have shown that lysosomal cathepsin B (CTSB), a family member of lysosomal cysteine protease, actively modulates the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components, disruption of intracellular communication, degradation of the basement membrane and alteration of cell-cell interactions, thereby it has multiple potential roles in cancer progression24–28. The gene discussed is CTSB; the disease is cancer.