Because the demethylation of E2F1 is required for its DNA damage-induced accumulation and the activation of its proapoptotic target genes (such as p73, Apaf1 and Bim, among others), therapies to target the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells may result in utility to promote E2F1-dependent apoptosis in p53-deficient tumours. The gene discussed is BCL2L11; the disease is cancer.