Apoptosis experiments that were performed and analysed by flow cytometry using the apoptosis marker annexin V, indicated that SkBr3 cells and although not biologically significant, had less apoptotic cells 24 h and 48 h following treatment, and when compared to MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines (Fig. 1c and d). This evidence concerns the gene ANXA5 and breast cancer.