Our data are, therefore, apparently contradicting several publications, which demonstrated that ERK1/2 activation can promote tumour growth and inhibit cancer cell apoptosis.43,44 However, others demonstrated that the ERK1/2-signalling pathway might also be positively involved in cell apoptosis.12–15 In support of the latter findings, inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by pharmaceutical IgG, ERK1/2 siRNA, PD98059 or U0126 impaired oxaliplatin-induced cell death. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is cancer.