Differentiation between inducers of apoptosis and nonspecific cytotoxic drugs by means of cell analyzer and immunoassay

Differentiation between specific and nonspecific cytotoxic drugs by means o f cell analyzer and immunoassay is described. The determination of antiprol iferative, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects as well as enlargement of cells in response to toxic compounds can be used for the disclosure of compounds with a specific mode of action. The usefulness of the procedure was demons trated with camptothecin (1) as a cytotoxic drug and established inducer of apoptosis. Aphidicolin (2) and the new compound oxoaphidicolin (3) were sh own to display no comparable effect. Isolation and structural data of 3 are reported.