We noted that 24 h after CDDP application, the apoptotic rate of tumour cells decreased from 93±5 to 75±4% following inhibition of caspase-8, to 85±3% following inhibition of caspase-9, or to 49±6% following inhibition of caspase-3 (Figure 5). This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and neoplasm.