Cortisone Acetate is a synthetic or semisynthetic analog of the naturally occurring cortisone hormone produced by the adrenal glands with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. Cortisone acetate (NSC-49420) diffuses through the cell membrane and binds to nuclear glucocorticoid receptors. The receptor-ligand complex binds to promotor regions of certain genes and initiates RNA transcription. This results in an induction of synthesis of certain anti-inflammatory proteins while inhibiting the synthesis of certain inflammatory mediators.

Levels of enzymatically active caspase-3 are quantified using the ApoAlert Caspase Fluorescent assay kit. Briefly, 1×106 BC-1 PEL cells are treated with 50 μM Miltefosine, 50 μM Perifosine, or 20 nM NVP-BEZ235, as well as the respective vehicle controls. Cells are harvested and lysed 12 hours later. Equivalent micrograms of cell lysate for all samples are incubated with a fluorogenic caspase-3 substrate (DEVD-AFC). Cleavage of DEVD by caspase-3 releases AFC, the fluorescence of which is measured using a FLUOstar OPTIMA fluorometer, with excitation and emission filter wavelengths set to 400 and 505 nm, respectively[3].