Anticancer therapy targeting the apoptotic pathway
1Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030-4009, USA.
Abstract:
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has an essential role in controlling cell number in many developmental and physiological settings and in chemotherapy-induced tumour-cell killing. It is a genetically regulated biological process, guided by the ratio of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins. Recently, inducers of apoptosis have been used in cancer therapy. Several studies have attempted to induce apoptosis by triggering the tumour-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor and the BCL2 family of proteins, and others have targeted the caspases, and proteins that inhibit apoptosis. Most of these therapies are still in preclinical development because of their low efficacy and susceptibility to drug resistance, but some of them have shown promising results. In this article, we review the development and clinical efficacy of proapoptotic drugs that have shown promise.
Insights
Proapoptotic drugs induce programmed cell death for cancer therapy. This review covers the development and clinical efficacy of promising proapoptotic drugs, highlighting their potential despite current challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for development, physiology, and chemotherapy.
- It's a regulated process influenced by proapoptotic and antiapoptotic protein balance.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of proapoptotic drugs for cancer therapy.
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of promising proapoptotic agents.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in this therapeutic area.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on proapoptotic drugs.
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis pathways.
- Examination of drug resistance mechanisms and efficacy.
Main Results:
- Several therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis pathways are under investigation.
- Proapoptotic drugs show promise but face challenges like low efficacy and drug resistance.
- Some agents have demonstrated encouraging preliminary clinical results.
Conclusions:
- Targeting apoptosis is a viable strategy in cancer treatment.
- Further research is needed to overcome limitations and improve clinical outcomes.
- Proapoptotic drugs represent a developing frontier in oncology.
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