• Blocks autophagic flux, inhibits growth and mediates cell death in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (Yuan et al., 2015). • Increases cisplatin cytotoxicity in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cells by inhibiting lysosomal uptake of platinum and enhancing intracellular platinum ion binding to DNA (Chu et al., 2018). • Causes cytotoxicity in highly metastatic bladder cancer cell lines (Morgan et al., 2018). • Induces LMP mediated apoptosis by alkalinization and lysosomal dysfunction in gastric cancer cell lines (Nakashima et al., 2003). The gene discussed is PDLIM7; the disease is B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.