Initiation of autophagy and apoptosis by sonodynamic therapy in murine leukemia L1210 cells

► Both apoptosis and autophagy were involved in PpIX-SDT induced cytotoxicity of murine leukemia L1210 cells. ► Following SDT, autophagy occurred earlier than apoptosis. ► Autophagy inhibitors enhanced SDT induced cell apoptosis and necrosis in L1210 cells. ► ROS play important role in initiating cell autophagic and apoptotic responses.