In cell lines that are sensitive to TNF-induced both apoptosis and necroptosis, such as 22Rv1 (a human prostate cancer cell line), NCI-H358 (a human lung cancer cell line), and BxPC-3 (a human pancreatic cell line), MTA-induced apoptosis could be potentiated by Smac mimetic; and z-VAD switched MTA/Smac mimetic-induced apoptosis into necroptosis, which could be further blocked by necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1 (Supplementary Fig. 8). The gene discussed is PCSK1; the disease is lung cancer.