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Apoptosis-based therapies
1Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. jreed@burnham.org
Abstract:
Many of today's medical illnesses can be attributed directly or indirectly to problems with apoptosis--a programmed cell-suicide mechanism. Disorders in which defective regulation of apoptosis contributes to disease pathogenesis or progression can involve either cell accumulation, in which cell eradication or cell turnover is impaired, or cell loss, in which the cell-suicide programme is inappropriately triggered. Identification of the genes and gene products that are responsible for apoptosis, together with emerging information about the mechanisms of action and structures of apoptotic regulatory and effector proteins, has laid a foundation for the discovery of drugs, some of which are now undergoing evaluation in human clinical trials.
Insights
Problems with apoptosis, a programmed cell-suicide process, underlie many diseases. Understanding apoptosis regulation is key to developing new therapies for conditions involving cell accumulation or loss.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical biological process.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases.
- Impaired apoptosis can lead to either excessive cell accumulation or unwanted cell loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of apoptosis in disease.
- To highlight the importance of understanding apoptotic mechanisms for drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of apoptosis research.
- Analysis of genes and proteins involved in apoptosis regulation.
- Examination of drug development strategies targeting apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Defective apoptosis regulation contributes to various medical illnesses.
- Identification of key apoptotic genes and proteins provides therapeutic targets.
- Several apoptosis-targeting drugs are currently in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Understanding apoptosis is crucial for addressing diseases linked to its dysfunction.
- Targeting apoptotic pathways offers a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions.