From a mechanistic point of view, we found that even though TPL and THZ1 directly affect transcription initiation by RNAPII of the majority of genes, specific genes are overexpressed as a result of the transcriptional stress to which the cells are submitted upon treatment with these drugs, underscoring the possibility to target these genes in conjunction with TFIIH inhibitors to kill cancer cells. Here, ERCC3 is linked to cancer.