The observed non-apoptotic role of IRF1 in BV6-stimulated cytokine secretion in the present study is in line with our recent reports showing that Smac mimetic at non-toxic concentrations increases migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells in an autocrine/paracrine manner27 and promotes glioblastoma cancer stem-like cell differentiation.28 This evidence concerns the gene IRF1 and glioblastoma.