BAK1 and cancer: Some necrotic cell death can be induced by calcium overload, for example, in neural cells in the case of neurodegenerative disorders or following ischemia.36 In the case of cancer cells, cells deficient in Bak (Bcl-2 antagonist/killer) and Bax (Bcl-2-associated X-protein), which are resistant to many apoptosis inducers, have been found to die from necrosis following calcic stress.33 Yet the mechanisms underlying calcium-stress-induced necrosis are still poorly understood.