Combined data from these inhibitor studies suggest that targeting the Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, Hhg, and Erk/MEK signaling pathways can potentially inhibit the IL-6-mediated CD133+ cell growth enhancement, providing a rationale of applying strategies by targeting these three signaling pathways, Erk/MEK, Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, and Hhg, in blocking the growth of CD133+ cells of NSCLC. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.