Primary cells suppress oncogene-dependent apoptosis.

Oncogenes that promote cell-cycle progression also sensitize cells to agents that induce apoptosis, possibly by inactivating inhibitors that ordinarily provide protection against cell death. Here we show that the adenoviral oncogene E1A sensitizes cells to an anti-cancer drug by at least two pathways. One establishes a link between the drug and pro-apoptotic factors, but is not sufficient for sensitization without the second pathway, which suppresses inhibitors of apoptosis.