DBF4-dependent kinase (DDK), an evolutionarily conserved complex composed of dumbbell former 4 (DBF4) and cell division cycle 7 (CDC7), play critical roles in DNA synthesis, chromosomal segregation, DNA damage response and replication stress.8 In addition, DDK was found to be instrumental for the survival of cancer cells.9 Pharmacological inhibition of DDK induces tumor-specific cell death while showing preserved cell viability in non-transformed cells.10 DDK thus holds considerable value as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. The gene discussed is CDC7; the disease is cancer.