The apoptotic activity of Florin extracts in bladder cancer cells appears to be mediated by (1) increase of cyclin B1/Cdc2 kinase activity, (2) inhibition of tubulin polymerization, (3) phosphorylation and degradation of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, and (4) increased production of Bax, an apoptotic protein. The gene discussed is BAX; the disease is urinary bladder carcinoma.