Death receptors: targets for cancer therapy

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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens
09:53

Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens

Published on: February 6, 2017

Zafar Mahmood1, Yogeshwer Shukla

  • 1Proteomics Laboratory, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, India.

Experimental Cell Research
|December 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Death receptors (DRs) trigger programmed cell death. TRAIL receptor (TRAILR) shows promise in cancer therapy by selectively inducing apoptosis in tumor cells with minimal toxicity to normal cells.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for physiological growth and homeostasis.
  • Death receptors (DRs), part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, mediate apoptosis independently of the p53 gene.
  • Targeting DR-mediated apoptosis offers a novel strategy for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on DRs and their signaling pathways.
  • To summarize preclinical approaches utilizing DRs in cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the potential of TRAIL receptor (TRAILR) as a targeted cancer therapeutic.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on DRs, including CD95, TRAILR, and TNFR.
  • Analysis of DR signaling mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of preclinical data on DR-targeted cancer therapies.

Main Results:

  • DRs, particularly TRAILR, can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • TRAILR exhibits minimal toxicity to normal cells, making it a promising therapeutic candidate.
  • Combination therapies involving TRAIL and chemotherapy/radiotherapy can enhance treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • DRs represent a viable therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
  • TRAILR-based therapies hold significant potential for selective cancer cell apoptosis induction.
  • Further preclinical investigation is warranted to optimize DR-targeted cancer treatments.

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