The CA-induced mitochondria-related anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects may involve the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway, since inhibition of the PI3K/Akt axis, Nrf2 silencing with small interfering RNA (siRNA), or inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP IX abrogates the CA-mediated beneficial effects. The gene discussed is HMOX1; the disease is cancer.