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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Virological and immunological connotations of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic forces in neoplasia

J G Sinkovics1, J C Horvath

  • 1Cancer Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital, 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607-6387, USA. sinkovi.joseph@baycare.org

International Journal of Oncology
|August 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) plays a crucial role in cancer biology, influencing tumor growth and treatment resistance. Understanding apoptosis mechanisms offers potential therapeutic strategies against cancers like leukemia, melanoma, lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a fundamental biological process with implications in various diseases.
  • Mesenchymal stromal cells can protect chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells from apoptosis.
  • Apoptosis resistance in melanoma cells involves the Fas ligand-Fas receptor system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the biological contexts and demonstration techniques of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
  • To investigate the role of apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, melanoma, lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease.
  • To identify potential therapeutic interventions that induce apoptosis in tumor cells.

Main Methods:

  • Review of fundamental biological contexts and techniques for demonstrating apoptosis.
  • Observation of mesenchymal stromal cells as feeder layers for chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
  • Analysis of the Fas ligand-Fas receptor system in melanoma cells and bi-directional apoptosis induction in lymphomas and chemotherapy-resistant Hodgkin's disease.

Main Results:

  • Mesenchymal stromal cells act as protective 'nurse cells' for chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
  • Apoptosis-resistant melanoma cells utilize the FasL-FasR system for autocrine growth.
  • Bi-directional apoptosis induction observed between cytotoxic lymphocytes and tumor cells, and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in malignant cells.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptosis is a critical factor in cancer progression and treatment response.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways presents potential therapeutic avenues for various cancers.
  • Understanding the balance of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic forces is key for developing effective cancer therapies.

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