2,3-DCPE is a proapoptotic compound with selectivity for cancer cells versus normal human cells. It induces apoptosis in vitro in various cancer cell lines (IC50s = 0.89-2.69 μM) more effectively than in normal human fibroblasts (IC50 = 12.6 μM). 2,3-DCPE down-regulates Bcl-xL, however forced overexpression of Bcl-xL is sufficient to block 2,3-DCPE apoptosis induction.[1] 2,3-DCPE can induce S-phase arrest, upregulate p21, and activate ERK.[2]

Reference:
[1]. Wu, S., Zhu, H., Gu, J., et al. Induction of apoptosis and down-regulation of Bcl-XL in cancer cells by a novel small molecule, 2[[3-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)propyl]amino]ethanol Cancer Research 64, 1110-1113 (2004).
[2]. Zhu, H., Zhang, L., Wu, S., et al. Induction of S-phase arrest and p21 overexpression by a small molecule 2[[3-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)propyl] amino]ethanol in correlation with activation of ERK Oncogene 23, 4984-4992 (2004).