Akt activation contributes to chemotherapeutic resistance and radiation resistance in breast, lung, prostate and ovarian carcinomas, leukaemia and melanoma (Krasilnikov et al, 1999; Wellbrock et al, 1999; Brognard et al, 2001; Chen et al, 2001; Stassi et al, 2005). The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is leukemia.