The ability of α-TEA to induce apoptosis in both A2780S and A2780/CP70 ovarian cancer cells requires both downregulation of ErbB-mediated prosurvival factors (ErbB/Akt/FLIP and survivin) and activation of Fas-mediated mitochondrial dependent apoptosis, two complementary and necessary events. The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is ovarian cancer.