CASP3 and neoplasm: ABT-737–induced dormancy disruption was investigated through cell viability (MTT) and soft agar colony assays to assess survival and self-renewal of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). PKH26 dye retention and FACS distinguished quiescent (PKHhigh) from proliferative (PKHlow) cells, revealing selective killing of dormant LCSCs. JC-1 staining, cytochrome c/AIF immunofluorescence, and caspase 3/7 assays confirmed mitochondrial apoptosis. In xenograft models (NOD/SCID mice), tumor regression and reduced ALDEFLUOR+ stem cell content validated in vivo targeting of dormant CSCs by ABT-737.