To investigate whether the DGL/CSA-PNPs promote cancer-cell apoptosis via the mitochondria-cytochrome c pathway, including caspase-3, caspase-9, bcl-2 and bax, the protein expression of key regulators was analyzed in JEG3 cells and the tumors treated with DGL/CSA-PNPs. The gene discussed is CASP9; the disease is cancer.