MiR-21, frequently upregulated in a variety of cancers, exerts an anti-apoptotic function in k-Ras-dependent lung tumors by inhibiting expression of Apaf-1, an important component of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and decreasing protein levels of Fas ligand, a key initiator of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway.92 The function of miR-21 was further confirmed by the observation that ectopic expression of miR-21 protected cancer cells from gemcitabine-induced apoptosis.93 Shaffiey et al.94 identified that miR-590 suppresses Fas ligand expression in AML to promote cell survival. This evidence concerns the gene APAF1 and cancer.