Pristimerin activated the same apoptotic pathway in breast cancer cells as reported by Wu C et al. [21] The effect of pristimerin on antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, survivin) of the Bcl-2 gene family regulating the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis was also examined. The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is breast cancer.