CASP9 and colonic neoplasm: By comparing the signaling pathway with that induced by the combination of 5-FU and the parent molecule, sulforaphane, our results indicate that both the receptor (activation of caspase 8 by 2-oxohexyl ITC) pathway and the mitochondrial (activation of caspase 9 by 5-FU) pathway are involved in the apoptosis process in HT-29 cells, which makes this combination a considerable candidate for a combined colon cancer treatment.