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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Apoptosis: a relevant tool for anticancer therapy

A Russo1, M Terrasi, V Agnese

  • 1Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical and Oncology, Università di Palermo, Italy. lab-oncobiologia@usa.net

Annals of Oncology : Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
|June 9, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Targeting apoptosis, a crucial cell death process, offers new cancer treatment strategies. While some therapies are in development, targeting apoptosis pathways shows promise for overcoming cancer drug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is essential for removing damaged cells and preventing cancer.
  • Defective apoptosis is a key factor in cancer development and progression.
  • Cancer cells often develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiation by altering apoptotic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel targeted therapies that exploit apoptosis for cancer treatment.
  • To update on molecular players targeting apoptosis, including those in clinical use or evaluation.
  • To highlight potential future anticancer drug programs targeting apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on apoptosis and cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular targets within the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic agents targeting apoptosis machinery (e.g., p53, proteasome).

Main Results:

  • Several targeted therapies exploiting apoptosis are in preclinical or clinical development.
  • Agents like bortezomib are already in use, while others (e.g., ONYX-015, TRAIL/Apo2L) show promise.
  • Drug resistance remains a challenge, but novel approaches offer potential.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting apoptosis pathways represents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research and clinical evaluation are needed for many apoptosis-targeting agents.
  • Exploiting apoptosis offers a route to overcome resistance in cancer treatment.

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