Bisgin et al. BMC Cancer 2012, 12:58 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/12/58 present data highlight the potential importance of sTRAIL in this setting. Further study with a larger patient population and longer duration is warranted to clarify its value. Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Akdeniz University Scientific Research Project Administration Division and Health Science Institute. Author details 1Human Gene and Cell Therapy Center of Akdeniz University Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Medical Genetics, Antalya, Turkey. 2Department of Medical Oncology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. 3Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Antalya Education and Training Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Authors’ contributions AB carried out the immunoassays, participated in the design and execution of the study and drafted the manuscript. AK followed up the patients and carried out the survival analysis. 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