Automated laser scanning cytometry: A powerful tool for multi-parameter analysis of drug-induced apoptosis

Background: Simultaneous analysis of multiple intracellular events is critical for assessing the effect of biological response modifiers, including the efficacy of chemotherapy. Here we used the automated laser scanning cytometry (LSC) for multi-parameter analysis of drug-induced tumor cell apoptosis. Materials: Using 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide-hydrate sodium salt, or the commonly used chemotherapeutic agents etoposide and camptothecin, we performed simultaneous analyses of apoptosis-related morphological features as well as fluorescence-based biochemical changes in a 96-well format. Results: We demonstrate the scope of LSC as a platform for comparing multiple variables between different cell populations, distinguishing unique events at a single cell level within a sample population, and enabling simultaneous screenings in a single assay at multiple dosages and time-points. Conclusion: These data underscore the power of LSC for simultaneous multi-parameter analysis, which could have implications for screening or assessing the efficacy of drug responses in heterogeneous cell populations and at the single cell level.