Phytosphingosine induces apoptotic cell death via caspase 8 activation and Bax translocation in human cancer cells.

Abstract

These findings indicate that phytosphingosine induces apoptotic cell death in human cancer cells by direct activation of caspase 8, and by mitochondrial translocation of Bax and subsequent release of cytochrome c into cytoplasm, providing a potential mechanism for the anticancer activity of phytosphingosine.