Method of sensitizing cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of death receptor ligands in cancer treatment

摘要

Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with a death receptor ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with a death receptor ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound described herein, for example, a cucurbitacin (I) or a withanolide (II). Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with a compound described herein, for example, a cucurbitacin (I) or a withanolide (II) and also contacting the cancer cells with a death receptor ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells.;