The pharmacology of apoptosis
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Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
Published on: August 12, 2018
R A Kinloch1, J M Treherne, L M Furness
1Department of Discovery Biology, Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, UK.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is an area of intense scientific interest, which encompasses the study of and triggers mechanisms involved in mediating the cell biology of programmed cell death. A number of low molecular weight compounds have been used to inhibit or enhance this fundamental cellular process and so apoptosis has now become amenable to pharmacological manipulation. In this review Ross Kinloch, Mark Treherne, Mike Furness and Iradj Hajimohamadreza will focus on the current literature describing the pharmacology of apoptosis, with particular reference to the therapeutic potential that could arise from the development of pro- and anti-apoptotic drugs. The pivotal role of apoptosis in such diverse pathological processes as tumour growth, the immune response and neurodegeneration suggests that an understanding of how apoptosis can be regulated by drugs will become increasingly important to the pharmaceutical industry.
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Overview of Cell Death
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...

