The increased expression of ABL enables its interaction with apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (APAF1) and competitively blocks the interaction between APAF1 and cytochrome c (Cytc), thereby inhibiting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, blocking apoptosome assembly and caspase-9/3 activation, and resulting in the resistance of GC cells to cell death. The gene discussed is APAF1; the disease is gastric cancer.