Earlier we have described new water-soluble Ag- and Zn-derivatives of tetrachloride meso-tetra (4-N-oxiethylpyridyl) porphyrin (TOEtPyP) as potential anticancer drugs. In this work the effect of one of these metal porphyrins, TOEtPyP Ag, on the cell population kinetics was studied in vitro using morphological and biochemical techniques. The results suggested that TOEtPyP Ag action consisted in the simultaneous suppression of the cell growth and activation of the cell death. About 40% of the cells were shown to die via apoptotic pathway. So, the porphyrin studied may be attributed to inducers of both necrotic and apoptotic processes. The results obtained support our previous assertion that TOEtPyP Ag may be considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.