• The ALK inhibitor TAE684 induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells through upregulation of Bim and downregulation of survivin.• The dual ALK and c-Met inhibitor Crizotinib induces apoptosis in c-Met-amplificated lung cancer cells and gastric cancer cells through upregulation of Bim.• When combined with EGFR inhibitors, the dual ALK and c-Met inhibitor CM-118 induced apoptosis of c-Met amplified NSCLC cells through Bim upregulation and Mcl-1 downregulation. The gene discussed is MCL1; the disease is lung cancer.