The ether phospholipid edelfosine induces a rapid necrotic cell death in human U118 glioblastoma cells, which is inhibited by the specific RIPK1 inhibitors Nec-1 and Nec-1s as well as by RIPK3 silencing, and accounts for most of the cell death (~80%) occurring in edelfosine-treated U118 cells, thus involving both RIPK1 and RIPK3 in the cell death process. The gene discussed is RIPK3; the disease is glioblastoma.