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Published on: June 6, 2017
Survivin in apoptosis control and cell cycle regulation in cancer
1Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, New Haven, CT 06536, USA.
Abstract:
Evasion of apoptosis, and the ability to proliferate uncontrollably are two of the molecular traits found perhaps in all human cancers (1). Positioned at the interface between the regulation of apoptosis and the control of cell proliferation, survivin is a recently described molecule that is expressed in most human cancers but not in normal tissues. Encouraging new studies demonstrate that it may be possible to exploit the survivin pathway for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Insights
Survivin, a molecule found in most human cancers, plays a role in apoptosis evasion and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Targeting the survivin pathway shows promise for novel cancer diagnosis and therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- All human cancers exhibit evasion of apoptosis and uncontrolled proliferation.
- Survivin is a molecule located at the intersection of apoptosis regulation and cell proliferation control.
- Survivin is expressed in most human cancers, but not in normal tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of survivin in cancer.
- To explore the potential of the survivin pathway for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of survivin expression in cancer and normal tissues.
- Review of existing studies on survivin's function and therapeutic potential.
Main Results:
- Survivin is differentially expressed in cancer versus normal tissues.
- The survivin pathway presents opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Survivin is a promising target for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Further research into the survivin pathway could lead to significant advancements in oncology.
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