For example, the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib has been demonstrated to inhibit AKT signalling and to induce apoptosis of human colorectal and prostate cancer cells in vitro in a cyclooxygenase-2-independent manner, by a mechanism involving direct inhibition of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) (Arico et al, 2002; Song et al, 2002). The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is prostate cancer.