In a hamster model of oral cancer, Kavitha et al. [14] reported that ATX could induce caspase-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, p-Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad) and survivin and up-regulating pro-apoptotic Bax and Bad, accompanied by efflux of Smac/Diablo and cytochrome c into the cytosol and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is lip and oral cavity carcinoma.