TNFα and Fas/FasL pathways are involved in 9-Methoxycamptothecin-induced apoptosis in cancer cells with oxidative stress and G2/M cell cycle arrest

► MCPT exerts antitumor effect against human cancer cells. However, the mechanism is poorly understood. ► MCPT induced cytotoxicity in seven human cancer cells. ► MCPT induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle, increased ROS generation and the activities of caspases in A2780 and Hela cells. ► MCPT induced up-regulation expression of genes and proteins in both cells, with the TNFα and Fas/FasL pathway more prominent. ► MCPT may be a potent therapeutic agent against human cancers.