2,3 DCPE displays anticancer agent properties and induces ERK activation. Causes apoptosis in many tumor cell lines and is known to specifically cleave caspase-8, caspase-3, caspase-9, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in cancer cells, but not in human fibroblasts. Shown to reduce the protein level of Bcl-XL. Triggered cell death in OAW42-R ovarian carcinoma cells with inhibition of Bcl-2 expression and increased cytotoxic effect of cisplatin in OAW42-R resistant cells. 2,3-DCPE reported to induce S-phase arrest and upregulate p21.
