The activity dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) gene is frequently amplified in many neoplasias, including breast, bladder, ovarian, pancreatic, and colon cancers. ADNP mRNA is abundantly expressed in distinct normal tissues, and high expression levels were encountered in malignant cells. ADNP is implicated in maintaining cell survival, perhaps through modulation of p53. The encoded protein contains one homeobox and nine zinc finger domains, suggesting that it functions as a transcription factor.