We found that genetic inhibition of the autophagy essential gene ATG5 in both U87MG cells and oncogene-transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) prevented THC-induced cell death while it further diminished the nutrient deprivation-induced decrease in cell viability (Fig. 1A and Fig. S1A), thus supporting the notion that stimulation of autophagy may play a dual role in the regulation of cancer cell survival. The gene discussed is ATG5; the disease is cancer.