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Regulators of apoptosis as anticancer targets
1Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. atolcher@saci.org
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|January 7, 2003
Summary
New therapeutic agents aim to boost chemotherapy effectiveness against advanced cancers by enhancing programmed cell death (apoptosis). Promising drug candidates are progressing, offering cautious optimism for improved antitumor potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Current treatments for advanced malignancies are often noncurative.
- Enhancing apoptosis is a rational strategy to improve chemotherapy's antitumor effects.
- Existing chemotherapy agents, like antimicrotubule drugs and all-trans-retinoic acid, leverage apoptotic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore therapeutic agents that augment the apoptotic effects of existing chemotherapy.
- To investigate strategies for enhancing the antitumor potential of current cancer treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of chemotherapeutic agents that induce apoptosis.
- Evaluation of novel agents targeting apoptosis pathways.
- Consideration of agents like oblimersan sodium and TRAIL receptor-targeting drugs.
Main Results:
- Oblimersan sodium is undergoing randomized pivotal studies.
- Agents targeting the TRAIL receptor-family have entered early clinical studies.
- These developments suggest potential advancements in enhancing chemotherapy efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Developing agents that enhance apoptosis offers a promising strategy for noncurative advanced malignancies.
- Clinical progress with agents like oblimersan sodium and TRAIL receptor modulators warrants cautious optimism.
- Further research into apoptosis-enhancing therapies is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.