Similar to our previous report that p38MAPK-p53-survivin signaling mediated simvastatin-induced HCT116 colorectal cancer cell death6, we demonstrated that AMPK-p38MAPK cascade also plays a pivotal role in lovastatin-induced FaDu hypopharyngeal carcinoma cell death. The gene discussed is BIRC5; the disease is hypopharyngeal carcinoma.