Thus, selective killing of LKB1-deficient tumour cells can be achieved by mimicking energy stress with small molecule AMPK agonists such as the AMP mimetic AICAR or the biguanide metformin and phenformin, which are both inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I (Dykens et al, 2008) (Table 1). The gene discussed is PRKAA1; the disease is neoplasm.