In order to elucidate the roles that MAPK members play in EVO-induced apoptosis of A498 RCC cells, pharmacological studies were performed using specific inhibitors of MAPK members, including the ERK inhibitor, PD98058 (PD), the p38 inhibitor, SB203580 (SB), the JNK inhibitors, SP600125 (SP) and JNKI, and the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). The gene discussed is MAPK8; the disease is renal cell carcinoma.