Cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity is not a specific molecule or receptor but rather describes the property or quality of being toxic to cells. It refers to the ability of certain substances—such as chemicals, drugs, toxins, or environmental factors—to cause cell damage or induce cell death through mechanisms like necrosis (uncontrolled lysis), apoptosis (programmed cell death), or autophagy. Cytotoxicity is an important parameter in drug development and toxicology for assessing the safety and efficacy of compounds. In oncology, cytotoxic drugs are used therapeutically to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells but can also harm normal tissues. The term "cytotoxicity" does not refer to a discrete molecular target; instead, it is an outcome measured in biological assays using various markers and endpoints[1][2][7].

Induction of cell death via apoptosis or necrosis by cytotoxic agents[1][2]