This pathogen presents a polysaccharide that potently inhibits cell proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells by inducing apoptosis through a loss of ΔΨm, release of CytC from the mitochondria into the cytosol, activation of caspase-9 and-3, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP), elevated ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein and overexpression of p53. The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is osteosarcoma.