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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches
05:56

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches

Published on: October 13, 2022

Apoptosis and cancer: mutations within caspase genes

S Ghavami1, M Hashemi, S R Ande

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Journal of Medical Genetics
|June 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Dysregulation of programmed cell death, particularly apoptosis, contributes to cancer and chemoresistance. Modulating caspases and their regulators offers promising new anticancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is crucial for multicellular organism development and integrity.
  • Inactivation of apoptosis can lead to developmental abnormalities, autoimmunity, and cancer.
  • Apoptosis deregulation is a key factor in cancer therapy chemoresistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of caspases and their natural modulators in apoptosis and cancer.
  • To examine studies on caspase gene mutations in tumors.
  • To discuss emerging cancer treatments targeting caspases and their regulators.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of programmed cell death mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies screening tumors for mutations in caspase genes and regulators.
  • Discussion of experimental anticancer drugs modulating caspase pathways.

Main Results:

  • Caspase family proteases are central to apoptosis initiation and execution.
  • Natural modulators include IAPs, FLIPs, and Smac/Diablo.
  • Emerging treatments involve antagonists for cFLIP, cIAP1, XIAP, and survivin, alongside procaspase-3 activators.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase modulation is a viable strategy for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways presents novel therapeutic opportunities.
  • Experimental drugs show potential in overcoming cancer chemoresistance.

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