Inhibition of SphK1, by pharmacological tools as SKI-II (2-(p-Hydroxyanilino)-4-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazole) or by RNA interference, dramatically enhanced curcumin-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition in ovarian cancer cells via Cer production and p38 activation and Akt inhibition. The gene discussed is SPHK1; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.