Gene expression profiling with cDNA array allows simultaneous analysis of the gene expression pattern of a large number of genes and may enhance the investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with cisplatin. We used cDNA array technology to assess the gene expression profiles related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep3B cells in response to cisplatin treatment. In Hep3B cells, apoptosis induced by cisplatin was p53-independent, and was associated with up-regulation of cell cycle regulators, pro-apoptotic genes, growth receptors, and genes involved in signal transduction. These included p33ING1, c-Abl, Bax, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, Siva, cyclin D1, RhoA, and Raf-1. Down-regulation of cell cycle regulator CDC2 was observed. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and/or Western blot analysis performed on seven of these genes confirmed their upregulation of gene expression. Such global analysis of the cytotoxic response to chemotherapeutic drugs may yield insight into the mechanisms of drug action and allow rational design of more effective treatment strategies.