BCL2L11 and cancer: • Bim is involved in gefitinib-induced apoptosis in sensitive EGFR-mutant cancer cells.• T790M mutation in EGFR prevented gefitinib-induced upregulation of Bim and apoptosis.• T790M mutated cells responded with Bim upregulation and apoptosis when using the irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor CL-387,785.