XIAP and breast carcinoma: The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is a strong caspase-binding protein and inhibits both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.33 Overexpression of XIAP has been linked to tumor recurrence in prostate cancer and resistance to systemic and targeted therapy in breast cancer cells.34–36 Interestingly, the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac) mimetics, which neutralizes XIAP, can sensitize GBM cells for temozolomide and can prime them for apoptosis.37,38