Indeed, if autophagy is inhibited, the therapeutic effects of these drugs can be enhanced.17 Recent studies reported that the novel SphK1 inhibitor PF-543 exhibited potent anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects on human colorectal cancer cells.19 It mainly induced programmed necrosis, but did not induce apoptosis. The gene discussed is SPHK1; the disease is colorectal cancer.