The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Nancy Lynn Booth

Kirk R Gustafson

Curtis J Henrich

Thomas Joseph Sayers

Alan David Brooks

Karen L Erickson

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. 

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Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Nancy Lynn Booth