Detection of Anoikis Using Cell Viability Dye and Quantitation of Caspase Activity.

Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death triggered by the loss of cellular interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and culminates in the activation of caspases. Specific interaction between cellular receptors such as integrins and the ECM is important to maintain cellular homeostasis in normal tissues through multiple cascades. This interaction provides not only physical attachment, but more importantly, vital interaction with the actin cytoskeleton and growth factors. Normal epithelial and endothelial cells require this interaction with ECM to survive. In cancer, the acquisition of anoikis resistance is a hallmark of malignant transformation and is required in the process of metastasis formation. As such, strategies to inhibit and/or counteract anoikis resistance are important in controlling cancer progression. In this chapter, we describe the method for detecting anoikis using cell viability and caspase activity assays.