In additional studies utilizing a xenograft model where SGC7901 cells were injected subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice, irinotecan treatment resulted in increased LC3-II levels, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP as well as increases in p-JNK and p-p38 in tumor tissues; however, 3-MA dramatically attenuated these effects, suggestive of a cytotoxic function of autophagy. This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and neoplasm.