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TRAIL receptor-targeted therapy

Donald J Buchsbaum1, Tong Zhou, Albert F Lobuglio

  • 1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, 1824 6th Avenue South, WTI 674, Birmingham, AL 35294-6832, USA. djb@uab.edu

Future Oncology (London, England)
|August 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) shows promise in cancer therapy by selectively inducing cancer cell death. TRAIL, alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiation, is being investigated in clinical trials for targeted cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a cytokine that induces apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • TRAIL is being developed as a biological agent for cancer therapy due to its selective cytotoxicity.
  • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can enhance TRAIL's anticancer effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptosis in tumor cells.
  • To discuss the use of TRAIL or agonistic monoclonal antibodies, alone or with chemotherapy, for cancer therapy.
  • To present preclinical and early clinical trial data on TRAIL-based therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies on TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptosis.
  • Analysis of studies combining TRAIL ligands with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
  • Examination of preliminary clinical trial data for TRAIL receptor ligands.

Main Results:

  • TRAIL selectively induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and tumor xenografts.
  • Combination therapies of TRAIL with chemotherapy or radiation show enhanced cytotoxic effects.
  • Preclinical data support the use of agonistic monoclonal antibodies targeting TRAIL death receptors.

Conclusions:

  • TRAIL and its receptor ligands show potential for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Combination regimens involving TRAIL receptor ligands require further clinical trials.
  • Additional research is needed to establish the efficacy of TRAIL-based treatments in clinical settings.

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