DAPK1 expression is frequently lost in human carcinomas and B-cell leukemia, and lower levels of expression correlates with high rates of metastasis. The loss of DAPK expression provides a link between suppression of apoptosis and metastasis. DAPK1 is thought be involved in an early apoptotic checkpoint which eliminates premalignant cells from cancer formation. Studies in bladder cancer patients have also shown that hypermethylation of DAPK1 correlates to high recurrence rates and thus DAPK1 may be used as a prognostic marker. DAPK1 is also reportedly a molecular regulator of neuronal death in epilepsy.