The interacting mode of adriamycin with DNA has been studied by the use of molecular "light switch" complex Ru(bipy)(2)-dppx(2+) as a interacting mode spectroscopic probe. The results of the influence of ADM on the fluorescence and Scatchard equation of Ru(bipy)(2)dppx(2+)-DNA system indicate that ADM intercalates the base pairs of DNA. Compared with normal DNA interacting mode spectroscopic probe EB, Ru(bipy)(2)dppx(2+) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, lower toxicity, higher stability and simplicity.