Several basal BC cell lines (i.e., MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157, BT-20, and others) undergo necrosis upon cystine deprivation, which is promptly rescued either by administration of a ROS scavenger (Necrox-5) or by inhibiting members of the canonical necroptotic pathway, i.e., RIPK1 (receptor interacting kinase 1) and MLKL (mixed-lineage kinase domain-like). The gene discussed is MLKL; the disease is breast cancer.