Apoptosis-based therapies and drug targets

The pathogenesis of many diseases is most closely connected with aberrantly regulated apoptotic cell death. The past 15 years have witnessed an explosion in the basic knowledge of mechanisms that regulate apoptosis and the mediators that either trigger or inhibit cell death. Consequently, great interest has emerged in devising therapeutic strategies for modulating the key molecules of life-and-death decisions. Numerous novel approaches are currently being followed employing gene therapy and antisense strategies, recombinant biologics or classical organic and combinatorial chemistry in order to target specific apoptotic regulators. Although drug development is still in its infancy, several therapeutics have progressed to clinical testing or have even been approved in record time. This review outlines the recent advances in the field of apoptosis-based therapies and explores some highlights of a very active field of drug development.