It is possible to induce apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by activating p53 and upregulating the transcription of key target genes such as p21 (which is involved in cell cycle arrest) and pro-apoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 family proteins, such as Bad, Noxa, BH3 interacting domain death agonist (Bid), and Bcl-2-like protein 11 (Bim; activator of BH3). This evidence concerns the gene BCL2 and gastric cancer.