A very recent study (SOURCE Bionovo, Inc) describes the critical linkage between the expression of the protein CC3/TIP30 in cancer cells and their ability to adapt and survive in adverse conditions such as lack of glucose and other nutrients. Lack of CC3/TIP30 in a variety of human tumors allows them to resist the death signals created by metabolic stress encountered during aggressive tumor growth and metastases. Absence of CC3/TIP30 thus contributes to the development of aggressive and metastatic cancers.