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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Cell Death Associated with Abnormal Mitosis Observed by Confocal Imaging in Live Cancer Cells
Published on: August 21, 2013
Abnormalities of cell structures in tumors: apoptosis in tumors
Herman H Cheung1, Vinay Arora, Robert G Korneluk
1Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada. herman@mgcheo.med.uottawa.ca
Abstract:
A conceptual shift has occurred in recent years from considering cancer as simply a disease of deregulated cell proliferation to a view that incorporates the aberrant control of apoptosis into the equation. Apoptosis is an organized, genetically programmed cell death process by which multicellular organisms specifically destroy, dismantle and dispose of cells. In cancer cells, this tightly controlled process is suppressed by genetic lesions, allowing cancer cells to survive beyond their normal life span even in hostile environments that are prone to hypoxia and lack many trophic factor supports. In the last two decades, cancer researchers have made great strides in our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of apoptosis in chemoresistance generation and tumorigenesis. This tremendous increase in our knowledge of apoptosis in tumors has greatly impacted our perspective on carcinogenesis. Key regulators of apoptosis such as members of the Inhibitors of Apoptosis family and Bcl-2 family have been shown to play a pivotal role in allowing most cancer cells to escape apoptosis. The identification of specific targets involved in the suppression of apoptosis in cancer cells has facilitated the design and development of therapeutic strategies based on rational molecular approaches that aim to modulate apoptotic pathways. Many promising apoptosis-dependent strategies have been translated into clinical trials in the continued assessment of regimens that can effectively eradicate cancers.
Insights
Cancer cells evade programmed cell death (apoptosis) through genetic mutations, enabling tumor growth. Targeting apoptosis pathways offers new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Death Research
Background:
- Cancer is increasingly viewed as a disease involving aberrant control of apoptosis, not just uncontrolled cell proliferation.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a crucial process for eliminating damaged cells, which is suppressed in cancer cells.
- Genetic lesions in cancer cells allow them to evade apoptosis, promoting survival in hostile environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of apoptosis in cancer development and chemoresistance.
- To highlight the impact of understanding apoptosis on cancer research and treatment perspectives.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis pathways in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in cancer.
- Identification of key regulators of apoptosis, such as Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAP) and Bcl-2 family proteins.
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies designed to modulate apoptotic pathways.
Main Results:
- Key regulators like IAP and Bcl-2 family proteins are crucial for cancer cells evading apoptosis.
- Understanding these regulators has led to the development of targeted therapies.
- Many apoptosis-dependent strategies are now in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- The suppression of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, contributing to tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.
- Targeting apoptosis pathways represents a promising rational molecular approach for cancer therapy.
- Apoptosis-modulating strategies show significant potential for effective cancer eradication.
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