This study examined the combined effects of oxaliplatin and LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor, on gastric cancer. In vitro, combination treatment resulted in enhanced inhibition of cell growth and increased apoptosis compared to oxaliplatin alone. In vivo, combination treatment inhibited tumor growth more than oxaliplatin alone by activating the death receptor pathway. The enhanced anti-cancer effect of combination treatment was associated with inhibition of Akt and NF-κB activation and increased expression of proteins involved in death receptor mediated apoptosis.