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Apoptosis as a novel target for cancer chemoprevention

Shi-Yong Sun1, Numsen Hail, Reuben Lotan

  • 1Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030-4095, USA.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|May 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cancer chemopreventive agents can prevent cancer by inducing apoptosis, programmed cell death. Targeting apoptosis pathways in premalignant cells offers a novel strategy for cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer chemopreventive agents typically inhibit cell transformation or progression.
  • Traditional mechanisms include modulating xenobiotic metabolism, reducing oxidative damage, or promoting cell differentiation.
  • Emerging evidence shows many agents stimulate apoptosis, programmed cell death, in pre-malignant and malignant cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore apoptosis as a novel target for cancer chemoprevention.
  • To highlight chemopreventive agents that engage apoptosis pathways.
  • To construct a paradigm supporting apoptosis-based cancer prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on chemopreventive agents and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which agents induce apoptosis in pre-malignant and malignant cells.
  • Examination of the role of apoptosis pathways in carcinogenesis and cancer prevention.

Main Results:

  • Several chemopreventive agents, including retinoids, NSAIDs, polyphenols, and vanilloids, stimulate apoptosis.
  • These agents target signaling intermediates within apoptosis-inducing pathways.
  • Carcinogenesis inherently selects against apoptosis, making these pathways vulnerable targets in early stages.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptosis is a potent anti-cancer defense mechanism that can be therapeutically targeted.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways in pre-malignant cells, where these pathways are relatively intact, is a promising cancer prevention strategy.
  • The paradigm supports apoptosis induction as a novel and effective approach to cancer chemoprevention.

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