Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Comprehensive Analysis of Drug Response using the FLICK Assay
Published on: June 6, 2025
Cell death assays for drug discovery
Oliver Kepp1, Lorenzo Galluzzi, Marta Lipinski
1INSERM, U848, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Abstract:
Cell death has an important role in many human diseases, and strategies aimed at modulating the associated pathways have been successfully applied to treat various disorders. Indeed, several clinically promising cytotoxic and cytoprotective agents with potential applications in cancer, ischaemic and neurodegenerative diseases have recently been identified by high-throughput screening (HTS), based on appropriate cell death assays. Given that different cell death modalities may be dysregulated in different diseases, it is becoming increasingly clear that such assays need to not only quantify the extent of cell death, but they must also be able to distinguish between the various pathways. Here, we systematically describe approaches to accurately quantify distinct cell death pathways, discuss their advantages and pitfalls, and focus on those techniques that are amenable to HTS.
Insights
This study reviews methods for quantifying distinct cell death pathways, crucial for developing targeted therapies for diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Accurate assays are vital for identifying effective cytotoxic and cytoprotective agents.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cell death plays a critical role in numerous human diseases.
- Modulating cell death pathways offers therapeutic strategies for various disorders.
- High-throughput screening (HTS) has identified promising cytotoxic and cytoprotective agents for cancer, ischemic, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically describe and evaluate methods for accurately quantifying distinct cell death pathways.
- To discuss the advantages and limitations of various cell death assays.
- To focus on techniques suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS).
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of cell death quantification techniques.
- Analysis of assay performance in distinguishing between different cell death modalities.
- Evaluation of HTS compatibility for selected methods.
Main Results:
- Different cell death modalities are implicated in distinct diseases.
- Existing assays must differentiate between various cell death pathways, not just quantify overall cell death.
- Specific techniques amenable to HTS for accurate cell death pathway quantification are highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Accurate quantification and differentiation of cell death pathways are essential for effective therapeutic development.
- The described methods aid in identifying and validating novel therapeutic agents for a range of diseases.
- Focus on HTS-compatible assays accelerates the discovery of drugs targeting cell death.
