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Apoptosis modulators as cancer therapeutics.
1Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada. lpenn@oci.utoronto.ca
Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs (London, England : 2000)
|September 25, 2001
Summary
Scientists are developing new cancer treatments by targeting cell death pathways. These novel apoptotic modulators selectively kill tumor cells through classical or atypical signaling, offering diverse therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Significant advancements in understanding apoptosis molecular mechanisms over the past decade.
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a key target for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel non-genotoxic apoptotic modulators for cancer treatment.
- To discuss agents targeting both classical and atypical apoptosis pathways.
Main Methods:
- Focus on agents modulating classical apoptosis regulators (e.g., Bcl-2, Akt/PKB, p53).
- Exploration of agents targeting atypical apoptosis pathways (e.g., HSP90, HDAC, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors).
Main Results:
- Two distinct classes of apoptotic modulators show promise.
- Targeting atypical pathways offers selective tumor cell lethality with minimal normal cell impact.
Conclusions:
- Both classical and atypical apoptotic modulators hold therapeutic merit.
- Development of diverse cytotoxic agents is crucial for combating various cancers.