Patent ID: 8535897

Claim:
A method for identifying an agent, which induces RAS-RAF-MEK-dependent oxidative non-apoptotic cell death of a tumor cell, the method comprising: (a) detecting increasing VDAC level in the tumor cell, wherein the VDAC is selected from the group consisting of VDAC1, VDAC2, VDAC3, and combinations thereof, (b) contacting the tumor cell with the agent, and (c) determining whether the tumor cell dies via oxidative non-apoptotic cell death, comprising: (I) detecting an increased level of oxidative species in the tumor cell; and (II) identifying one or more of: (i) a lack of caspase 3 cleavage or activation; (ii) a lack of cytochrome C release; (iii) a lack of PARP cleavage or activation; (iv) a lack of Annexin V staining; (v) lack of alterations in chromatin morphology; (vi) a lack of nuclear DNA laddering; (vii) a lack of TUNEL staining of nuclear DNA; and (viii) a lack of depletion of ATP levels, wherein if the tumor cell dies via oxidative nonapoptotic cell death, then the agent induces RAS-RAF-MEK-dependent oxidative non-apoptotic cell death.