In many human cancers such as breast, ovary, prostate, and lung cancer, SK1 levels are upregulated (Akao et al., 2006; Johnson et al., 2005; Ruckhaberle et al., 2008; Sutphen et al., 2004), and these increases are linked to poor prognosis in patients (Kim et al., 2015; Ruckhaberle et al., 2008; Van Brocklyn et al., 2005). This evidence concerns the gene SPHK1 and cancer.