In the present study we examined for the first time the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on HeLa cancer cells of TRAIL in combination with 6-hydroxyflavanone (6-HF) or 6-propionoxyflavanone (6-PF) and explained the potential mechanism by which the two synthetic flavanones enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene TNFSF10 and cancer.