Moreover, given that induction of apoptosis by inhibition of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway involves activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway29, it is conceivable that the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL that are transcriptional targets of NF-κB are also involved in RIP1-mediated protection of melanoma cells from BRAF/MEK inhibitors30, 31. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK1 and melanoma.