The effect of some resistance modifiers on apoptosis induction by a benzo[alpha]phenothiazine derivative was studied on the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells (parent) and its multidrug resistant (MDR) subline. For evaluation of apoptosis the cells were stained with FITC-labelled annexin V and propidium iodide and the results were analysed by flow cytometry. 12H-benzo[alpha]phenothiazine [M627] induced apoptosis both in the parent cells and in the MDR cells. The apoptosis induction by [M627] was not affected significantly by post- or pre-treatment with resistance modifiers, while in the cells treated by (+/-)-verapamil before and after apoptosis induction with [M627], the apoptosis was somewhat higher. The resistance modifier compounds alone also induced apoptosis and it was slightly higher in the parent cells than its MDR1/A gene-transformed subline.